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The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the Forest Security Bill, which has already been passed in the two chambers of the National Assembly.
The agency argues the move is vital to curb rising insecurity, particularly in forests where criminals often hide.
At a press conference in Abuja, NFSS Commandant General Dr. Wole Joshua Osotimehin stressed that Nigeria’s forests are dangerously underprotected. “Only 3.8% of our forests are policed, far below the global minimum of 25%,” he said.
“Signing this bill isn’t optional – it’s urgent.”
He explained that the legislation would formalize collaboration between the NFSS, military, police, and other agencies to gather intelligence and disrupt criminal activities in remote areas.
The NFSS, he noted, has already trained with groups like the DSS, NDLEA, and Civil Defense to tackle issues like illegal logging and drug trafficking.
“Police taught us grassroots security tactics. The DSS trained us in intelligence gathering, and the NDLEA showed us how to track drug movements,” Osotimehin said. “Drugs fuel 80% of crimes today – we can’t ignore this.”
While acknowledging public skepticism, he assured Nigerians the NFSS is ready to act once the bill is signed. “We’re not here to replace existing agencies,” he added. “We’re here to fill the gaps they can’t reach.”
As the clamour for far-reaching security reforms by the president continues, there is hope that the Forest Security Bill, when assented, would turn the tide against banditry and kidnappings rooted in Nigeria’s vast, ungoverned forests.
