The Nigeria Forest Security Service wants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the bill already passed by the two Chambers of the National Assembly for an improved security in the country.
The NFSS Commandant General, Dr. Wole Joshua Osotimehin who made the demand at a press conference in Abuja over the weekend said they have gotten relevant training from security agencies.
According to him, Nigeria as of today has the least police forests in the world with just 3.8% compared to 25% minimum requirement that every country’s forest is supposed to have said the passage of the bill is landmark.
Osotimehin said given the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria, it was expedient for the presidential assent to boost the security of the forest areas where hoodlums take cover and carry out their nefarious acts.
According to him: “With the passage of this bill, it instructs the security of our forests in the area of gathering local intelligence to the military, and the police, and other relevant constituted authorities to maintain peace and stability in our country.”
He stated that the NFSS body has a clearly cut out mandate which distinguishes her from other agencies in the country, maintaining that given the various training it has received from the respective security agencies, it is well equipped to complement them in intelligence gathering from the forest area for their respective actions.
His words: “Police have trained us on managing security and security challenges for grassroot transformation. In the forested region, civil defense, have also trained us on organizational management. DSS on intelligence gathering.
“National Park Service and Agency of Environment have also trained us on how to detect the illegal movement of criminals within the forested region.
“Then, NDLA has trained us on how to curb drug movement. And you will agree with me, 80% of crimes committed today are under the influence of drugs.”
He assured Nigeria that the Forest Security Service would fully be mobilized in the public good.
Echezona Okafor.
