WELCOME TO KTNBIO

The Nigerian Senate is set to prioritize the passage of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Bill to enhance the country’s fight against insecurity.

This assurance was given by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, over the weekend.

He made this commitment over the weekend when the Commander General of the NFSS, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin, led a delegation of top officers on a courtesy visit to his residence in Abuja.

He emphasized the urgent need for a fully equipped and well-funded forest security service to combat banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping across the country.

“We are giving you full assurance that we will support you,” Jibrin said.

“We will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to ensure that the Bill is concluded within the shortest time possible. I will make sure that before we go on recess, the Bill is given the needed attention because it is in our national interest to do so.”

He commended Dr. Osatimehin and the NFSS team for their contributions to national security, noting that the passage of the Bill would further empower them to complement the efforts of the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies.

“The contributions you are making in the fight against banditry, kidnapping, and related crimes have helped the country a lot,” Jibrin stated.

“When you go to other climes, they are identified with different names according to the thinking of the people, agro-rangers, forest guards, or forest security services. The most important thing is that a well-structured service dedicated to securing our forests will leave no room for criminals to operate.”

Earlier, Dr. Osatimehin highlighted the vital role the NFSS has been playing, particularly in intelligence gathering and collaboration with security agencies.

He noted that the Service has established functional command and control offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has recruited thousands of operatives.

“The signing of this Bill into law will boost the morale of our officers and men who have already demonstrated their capacity through extensive training and field operations,” Osatimehin said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Commander General, Intelligence, of the NFSS, Ambassador John Metchie, expressed gratitude to Senator Jibrin for his commitment to ensuring the passage of the Bill.

“The NFSS Bill has enjoyed the support of both Senators and House of Representatives members,” Metchie stated.

“With the commitment of Senator Barau Jibrin, we are optimistic that the process will soon be concluded.”

He also called on the National Security Adviser and other key stakeholders to work together in ensuring the Bill is signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, stressing that it would add significant value to Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly in securing forested and ungoverned areas.