Participants In A Security Summit Urge Tinubu To Give NFSS Constitutional Recognition

Participants in a two day security summit in Abuja have advised President Bola Tinubu to give the Nigeria Forest Security Service, NFSS, constitutional recognition By signing its Bill into law.

The two days summit which was organized by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has as its theme “Managing Security and Security Challenges at the Grassroots in Nigeria: The Role of Critical Stakeholders”.

One of the Participants and Chief Security Officer, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Mr Akinwande Olorunshola said with the current cases of insecurity being perpetrated by kidnappers, bandits and other criminals, the time has come for the Federal Government to integrate NFSS into the country’s security apparatus.

Mr Olorunshola who expressed concern over security challenges confronting Nigeria, commended the Nigeria Forest Security Service for complimenting the efforts of other formal security agencies in the fight against insecurity over the years.

On his part, another Chief Security Officer from Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of River State, Mr Daniel Tamuno stated that the issue of security is local hence the need for Government at all levels to strengthen the protection of lives and property of Nigerians from the grassroots.

While also advocating legal backing for the activities of NFSS, Mr Tamuno called for training and retraining as well as empowerment of security personnel nationwide.

Speaking on the theme of the summit “Managing Security and Security Challenges at the Grassroots in Nigeria: The Role of Critical Stakeholders,” the Commander General of Nigeria Forest Security Service, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, who enumerated a number of forests across Nigeria, said the service is fully equipped to provide security when given necessary legal backing.

Dr. Joshua Osatimehin commended President Bola Tinubu for giving approval for the establishment of Forest Guard to flush out bandits and other criminals from the nation’s forested region.

According to him, the NFSS Bill, when signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, will further enhance the actualization of his renewed hope agenda in the area of security.

Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, therefore, reiterated the continuous support of NFSS to formal security agencies to enable Nigeria overcome her security challenges.

Declaring the two days security summit closed, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmed Satomi commended the participants for their inputs and contributions towards providing solutions to Nigeria’s security problems.

The Chairman who was represented by the Clerk of the Committee, Mr Daniel Labija explained that the communique of the Summit would be presented to the appropriate security authorities and the Federal Government towards finding a lasting solution to the challenges of insecurity in the country.

Mathew Ayoola, Edited By Grace Namiji