UGHELLI – The Commander General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Ambassador Joshua Adewole Osatimehin, has declared the agency’s unwavering commitment to ridding Nigeria’s forests of bandits and criminal elements within the next three to six months.
Amb. Osatimehin made the bold declaration during a one-day sensitization visit to the NFSS South-South Zone, held in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The South-South zone comprises the six states of the region.
Addressing officers and stakeholders at the gathering, Amb. Osatimehin highlighted Nigeria’s vast forest infrastructure, which includes 1,129 Forest Reserves, 29 Game Reserves, and 17 National Parks. He emphasized that NFSS personnel are well-acquainted with the terrains and the operational tactics of criminal elements operating within the forests.
“We know all the forests in Nigeria and the interconnectivity of bandits and criminal networks within them. We are ready and equipped to block their activities,” he stated.
He further affirmed that NFSS personnel have undergone extensive training through partnerships with other security agencies, including 13 courses in the 15 Nigeria Police Training Schools, special sessions with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on farmer-herder clashes, intelligence training with the Department of State Services (DSS), and collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others.
“The mandate of NFSS is clear – to deter and prevent illegal activities in Nigeria’s forests and to collaborate with security agencies by supplying relevant intelligence on crimes within these ungoverned spaces,” Osatimehin added.
He challenged NFSS operatives to go beyond mere appearance and embrace the intellectual, tactical, and disciplined approach required to combat forest-based criminality effectively. “It is not about wearing a uniform; it is about understanding the task ahead and being proactive,” he said, assuring Nigerians that the NFSS will begin to “sing a new song” within 30 days.
In his remarks, the Delta State Commander of NFSS, Ambassador Jonathan Obokowhemu, called for support from state governments, traditional rulers, and patriotic citizens to empower the service to fulfill its mandate.
“Our major challenge remains inadequate logistics. We are the ones managing the ungoverned spaces. With proper support, we will be more effective in tackling insecurity in our forests,” Obokowhemu appealed.
He reiterated the NFSS’s commitment to working in synergy with all stakeholders to restore peace and security to Nigeria’s forest regions.
Amb. Osatimehin made the bold declaration during a one-day sensitization visit to the NFSS South-South Zone, held in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The South-South zone comprises the six states of the region.
Addressing officers and stakeholders at the gathering, Amb. Osatimehin highlighted Nigeria’s vast forest infrastructure, which includes 1,129 Forest Reserves, 29 Game Reserves, and 17 National Parks. He emphasized that NFSS personnel are well-acquainted with the terrains and the operational tactics of criminal elements operating within the forests.
“We know all the forests in Nigeria and the interconnectivity of bandits and criminal networks within them. We are ready and equipped to block their activities,” he stated.
He further affirmed that NFSS personnel have undergone extensive training through partnerships with other security agencies, including 13 courses in the 15 Nigeria Police Training Schools, special sessions with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on farmer-herder clashes, intelligence training with the Department of State Services (DSS), and collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others.
“The mandate of NFSS is clear – to deter and prevent illegal activities in Nigeria’s forests and to collaborate with security agencies by supplying relevant intelligence on crimes within these ungoverned spaces,” Osatimehin added.
He challenged NFSS operatives to go beyond mere appearance and embrace the intellectual, tactical, and disciplined approach required to combat forest-based criminality effectively. “It is not about wearing a uniform; it is about understanding the task ahead and being proactive,” he said, assuring Nigerians that the NFSS will begin to “sing a new song” within 30 days.
In his remarks, the Delta State Commander of NFSS, Ambassador Jonathan Obokowhemu, called for support from state governments, traditional rulers, and patriotic citizens to empower the service to fulfill its mandate.
“Our major challenge remains inadequate logistics. We are the ones managing the ungoverned spaces. With proper support, we will be more effective in tackling insecurity in our forests,” Obokowhemu appealed.
He reiterated the NFSS’s commitment to working in synergy with all stakeholders to restore peace and security to Nigeria’s forest regions.
