Senate Set to Fast-Track Passage of Forest Security Bill

The Nigerian Senate is set to expedite the passage of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Bill into law.

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

Senator Jibrin emphasized the urgent need for the NFSS in Nigeria’s fight against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes perpetrated within the country’s forests.

He commended Osatimehin and his team for their efforts, noting that the passage of the NFSS Bill would enhance their ability to support the military, police, National Security Adviser’s office, and other security agencies in tackling insecurity.

Osatimehin explained that his visit was to brief the Deputy Senate President on the critical need for the NFSS Bill to be finalized and signed into law.

He highlighted the service’s contributions, particularly in intelligence gathering, collaboration with security agencies, and the arrest and handover of criminals, all of which have significantly aided the fight against insecurity.

Updating Senator Jibrin on the service’s progress, Osatimehin revealed that NFSS has established operational command and control offices across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with thousands of operatives recruited and deployed.

He stressed that signing the Bill into law would further boost the morale of officers who have demonstrated their capabilities through extensive training with various security agencies.

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Deputy Commander General (Intelligence) of the NFSS, Ambassador John Metchie, expressed appreciation to Senator Jibrin for his commitment to ensuring the NFSS Bill reaches its final legislative stage.

He praised the Deputy Senate President as a dedicated leader working alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio to support 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 strong backing the NFSS Bill has received from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

He expressed confidence that with Senator Jibrin’s support, the legislative process would soon be completed.

He also commended Osatimehin for his leadership, which has driven the NFSS’s achievements.

Metchie called on the National Security Adviser and other key stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring President Tinubu signs the Bill into law, emphasizing that it would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security, particularly in ungoverned areas.

(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)