IGP backs formal recognition of NFSS, urges presidential ascent to its bill

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun says formal recognition of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, NFSS, will go a long way in combating crimes and criminality in forests across the country.

Egbetokun stated this when the Commander General of NFSS, Dr. Joshua  Osatimehin and his team visited him at the Police Headquarters in Louis Edet House, Abuja.

The IGP , who was represented by DIG Operations, Kwazhi Dali noted that apart from the challenges of security in Nigeria’s forested region, the coming on board of NFSS would also help in checkmating illegal felling of timbers in the forest thereby contributing to national economic development through export of products being generated from timber.

He said the Nigeria Police would continue to give the NFSS the necessary support through training and retraining of its officers and men in line with international best practices to enhance effective security of lives and property in the country.

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Earlier in his remarks, the Commander General of the NFSS, Osatimehin, commended the Nigeria Police Force most especially IGP Kayode Egbetokun for the support to the service over the years most especially in the area of training of NFSS personnel.

While briefing the IGP on the passage of NFSS Bill by both Chambers of the National Assembly, Dr Osatimehin said the Service is fully on ground in all the 36 States of the Federation and 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

He said NFSS would not relent in complimenting the efforts of the Nigeria Police on intelligence gathering, investigation arrest of criminals among others towards safeguarding lives and property of Nigerians thereby enhancing the actualization of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s led administration in the area of security.

The Commander General therefore appealed to President Bola Tinubu to sign the NFSS Bill into law when finally transmitted to him by the National Assembly.

Dr. Osatimehin,who described security as everybody’s business, urged all stakeholders to continue to support the Nigeria Police and other Security Agencies to enable the country overcome its security challenges of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, among others.