The Nigerian Senate is set to prioritize the passage of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Bill without further delay.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, disclosed this over the weekend when the Commander General of the NFSS, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin, led a delegation of senior officers on a courtesy visit to his residence in Abuja.

Senator Jibrin emphasized the urgent need for the NFSS in combating banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes perpetrated within the nation’s forests. He commended Dr. Osatimehin and his team for their contributions to national security, stressing that passing the NFSS Bill into law would empower them to work more effectively alongside the military, police, National Security Adviser’s office, Department of State Security Service (DSS), and other security agencies.

“We appreciate the efforts of you and your officers in tackling banditry, kidnapping, and related crimes. Your contributions have significantly helped the country. Passing the NFSS Bill into law will enable you to do even more. Other countries have similar security outfits under various names—agro-rangers, forest guards, or forest security services. The key point is that a fully funded and well-equipped service dedicated to securing our forests will eliminate safe havens for criminals,” Senator Jibrin stated.

He assured the NFSS delegation of the Senate’s full support, promising to fast-track the legislative process. “We will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to ensure this Bill is passed as soon as possible. Before we go on recess, the Bill will receive the necessary attention because it is in our national interest,” he pledged.

Earlier, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin explained that his team’s visit was to consult and update Senator Jibrin on the progress and importance of finalizing the NFSS Bill. He highlighted the NFSS’s role in intelligence gathering, information sharing, and the apprehension of criminals, all of which have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s security efforts.

Dr. Osatimehin noted that the NFSS has already established functional command and control offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with thousands of operatives deployed nationwide. He emphasized that signing the Bill into law would further boost the morale of officers who have undergone extensive training with various security agencies.

The NFSS Deputy Commander General for Intelligence, Ambassador John Metchie, thanked Senator Jibrin for his commitment to ensuring the NFSS Bill reaches its logical conclusion.

He praised Senator Jibrin’s leadership and close collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Metchie, who also serves as the African Director of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), acknowledged the broad support the NFSS Bill has received from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. He expressed confidence that with Senator Jibrin’s dedication, the legislative process would soon be completed.

He further commended Dr. Osatimehin for his leadership and urged the National Security Adviser and other key stakeholders to collaborate in securing the Bill’s approval by President Tinubu. Metchie emphasized that enacting the Bill would significantly enhance national security, particularly in forested and ungoverned regions of the country.