Forest Service Seeks Constitutional Recognition

Commander-general, Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) Osatinehin Joshua Wole, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the bill establishing NHFSS to safeguard the nation’s forests.

He said the NFSS, with its over 48,000-man strength, requires constitutional backing to fight crimes in the forests effectively.

Osatinehin, who briefed journalists in Abuja, said Nigerian forests have become a haven for criminals.

He said, “The absence of federal approval has affected our morale and operational confidence. We appeal to the President to assent to the NFSS Bill to give us formal legal backing,”.

Osatinehin said the organisation began operations in 2016 and has been operating selflessly without adequate funding or mobility.

He said, “The NFSS evolved from community hunter associations to the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, and now to the Nigerian Forest Security Service — a transformation that went through the National Assembly.

A bill was presented to the Senate seeking the establishment of the organisation as part of Nigeria’s national security framework.

“During the public hearing, 103 memoranda were received; 102 supported the establishment, and only one was against it. The bill has been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and transmitted to the President for assent,” he said.

He said the morale of the personnel had been low due to a lack of welfare scheme.

“Many of our members are married and have families, yet receive no formal remuneration. This has caused low motivation and sometimes harassment by other security agencies who dismiss us as unrecognised.

“We call on the federal government to officially recognise the Nigerian Forest Security Service. Let President Bola Ahmed Tinubu make history by signing the NFSS Bill into law. We are not here to compete with existing agencies but to complement and strengthen national security within forested areas. Our forests are unsafe and have become hideouts for criminals,” he added.