Why Tinubu should expedite assent to NFSS Bill – CG

The Commander-General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, has called for swift presidential approval of the bill establishing the NFSS as a national security agency.

Osatimehin made this appeal following the completion of a training session for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Provost officers of the NFSS, held in Abuja on Saturday.

He emphasized that the bill, which has already been passed by both houses of the National Assembly, is currently awaiting President Tinubu’s assent.

“We are using this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President that the bill should be assented to. This will embolden our officers across the various commands to strategize with the relevant authorities so that we can take the battle to the forest and these criminal elements,” he said.

“The assent is very important, and we are really appealing to Mr. President for accelerated assent,” he added.

The training, Osatimehin explained, involved personnel from three key departments: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Provost. It was designed to enhance coordination between the NFSS and other security agencies to combat criminal activities in forested regions.

“There is a need to strengthen the Department of Intelligence for policing and security operations,” Osatimehin continued. “With the support of experts from agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, and the police, we believe we are graduating from this training more strategic, confident, and capable.”

He also encouraged NFSS personnel to maintain their support for all security agencies in the ongoing fight against crime and criminality.

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ajao Adewale, highlighted the importance of collaboration among security agencies in addressing insecurity, stressing that no single entity should hold a monopoly on security operations.

“This training will foster collaboration to police the nation’s forests effectively through intelligence,” Adewale remarked. “Intelligence is the lifeblood of security operations. We commend and appreciate this initiative, which will help raise the standard of operations.”

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of leveraging data, analysis, and evidence-based practices to improve community security in Nigeria.

Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), also lauded the NFSS for providing its personnel with essential skills in intelligence gathering and conflict resolution. Represented by Kayode Raji, Deputy Director of Operations and Investigation at NDLEA, Marwa affirmed the agency’s commitment to collaborating with the NFSS to fight crime in Nigeria.