The Commander-General of Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Dr Joshua Osatimehin, has urged for urgent assent to the bill establishing the NFSS as national security outfit in the country.

Mr Osatimehin made the call at the end of the training of intelligence, surveillance and provost personnel of the NFSS, on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the bill had been endorsed by the two chambers of the National Assembly awaiting assent by President Bola Tinubu. 

He stated, “We are using this opportunity to appeal to Mr President that the bill should be assented to. This will embolden our officers across the various commands to strategise with the relevant authorities so that we can take the battle to the forest and the criminal elements. The assent is very important, and we are really appealing to Mr President for accelerated assent.’’

Mr Osatimehin said that the just-concluded training involved three departments which include intelligence, surveillance and provost.

He said the officers were brought together to further strategise to collaborate effectively with the relevant security agencies to curb criminality within the forested region.

According to him, there is a need to strengthen the department of intelligence for policing, driving security.

He stated, “So, with this, I believe we have achieved a lot from different experts that have come across the security organisation. The Department of States Services was there, the military, the police, have all come to offer their parenting experience to our officers and I believe we are graduating stronger, more confident and more strategic.’’

Mr Osatimehim urged NFSS personnel to continue to support all agencies to rid the nation of crimes and criminality.

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Ajao Adewale, said that fighting insecurity was a job that required collaboration and without exclusive monopoly by any single security agency.

Mr Adewale said that the training would foster collaboration to effectively police the nation’s forest area through intelligence, adding that intelligence was the life-fire of security operations.

He stated, “For you coming up with the idea shows that you are really prepared to maintain and escalate your standard of operation. We commend and appreciate this initiative. Complimenting ethical leadership is the strategic power of intelligent police. By leveraging data, critical analysis and evidence-based practices, we can take our community to a greater height in terms of security and safety. By collaborating and working with your organisation, we have seen that we can always extend our outreach, and Nigeria will continue to be safe and secure.’’

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), commended the service for equipping its personnel with requisite knowledge in intelligence gathering and conflict management.

Mr Marwa, represented by the Deputy Director, Operations and Investigation, NDLEA, Kayode Raji, pledged to continue to collaborate with NFSS in intelligence to fight crimes in the country. 

(NAN)