Abuja: The Commandant-General (C-G) of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Mr. Joshua Adewole, has called for the adoption of the NFSS as the National Armed Forest Guard, a proposal currently under consideration by the Federal Government. This announcement was made during the 4th Annual Security Summit of the NFSS held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Adewole’s call aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s pronouncement on May 15, which advocated for the establishment of a National Armed Forest Guard to protect Nigeria’s 1,129 forests. Adewole emphasized that the NFSS, with its over 50,000 trained personnel and established community structures, is well-positioned to fill this critical security role. He highlighted the NFSS’s capacity, training, and collaborative experience with other security agencies as key attributes that qualify it for this national task.
The NFSS’s primary mandate is to prevent and deter crime and illegal activities within Nigeria’s forests. It works in partnership with the police and other security agencies to provide relevant intelligence on criminal activities. Adewole stated, “We are the ones that know the terrain. We are appealing to the Federal Government to make NFSS the nucleus of this proposed agenda.”
The NFSS began as a community-based hunter association in 2016 and has been instrumental in combating forest-related insecurity. It is registered as a voluntary security organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Adewole noted that the service has identified and addressed gaps in forest security, evolving into a broader security outfit tackling challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
In support of this initiative, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, expressed concern over the current state of Nigeria’s forests. Represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr. Ajao Adewale, the I-G noted that these forests, rich in biodiversity and economic potential, have become battlegrounds for various criminal activities. He emphasized that forest security should be a national priority and called for strategic collaboration among security agencies.
The I-G also highlighted the importance of local knowledge and collaboration with communities to enhance intelligence gathering and response strategies. He urged the NFSS to establish a joint security command unit dedicated to forest operations to streamline intelligence sharing and tactical execution.