NHFSS boss seeks presidential assent to forest security service bill

Joshua Osatimehin, commander-general of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), has asked President Bola Tinubu to give assent to the passage of its establishment bill.

He spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the end of a training session for NHFSS personnel drawn from intelligence, surveillance, and provost units.

Osatimehin said the bill had passed through both chambers of the national assembly and was awaiting presidential assent.

“We are using this opportunity to appeal to Mr President that the bill should be assented to,” he said.

“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 these criminal elements.

“The assent is very important and we are really appealing to Mr President for accelerated assent.”

He said the training was aimed at strengthening the agency’s capacity to collaborate with other security outfits in tackling crimes within forest areas.

He said the intelligence department plays a vital role in forest policing and must be adequately equipped to deliver results.

“So with this, I believe we have achieved a lot from different experts that have come across the security organisation,” Osatimehin said.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) 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.”

Osatimehin asked officers of the NHFSS to continue working with other security agencies to address insecurity across the country.

Also speaking, Ajao Adewale, commissioner of police in the federal capital territory (FCT), said no single agency can monopolise security operations.

Adewale said the training would promote inter-agency cooperation and enhance intelligence-led operations within the forest zones.

“For you coming up with the idea shows that you are really prepared to maintain and escalate your standard of operation,” he said.

“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.”

Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), commended the training initiative and said it would boost intelligence gathering.

Marwa, who was represented by Kayode Raji, deputy director of operations and investigation, pledged continued collaboration with the NHFSS to fight crime nationwide.