The Commander General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, has thrown his weight behind Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, over concerns that local vigilantes and forest guards lack the firepower and capacity to effectively confront armed bandits and other violent criminals threatening local communities.
Speaking through the Deputy Commander General, Intelligence, Ambassador John Metchie, in Abuja on Monday, Osatimehin emphasized that the proposed NFSS law would empower the Service to bear arms and carry out intensive operations to protect forests and rural areas across the country, including in Benue State.
Governor Alia, reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, had earlier stated that the State Protection Guards are only permitted to carry Dane guns, rendering them vulnerable and ineffective against militias who operate with sophisticated weapons like AK-47 and AK-49 rifles. He was responding to concerns raised by the Benue Advocacy Network over rising insecurity despite the anti-open grazing law in place.
In his remarks, Metchie sympathized with the people of Benue and other affected states over the recent wave of attacks and commended the military and security agencies for their swift response to the crises. He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for personally visiting Benue and directing security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.
“The Nigerian Forest Security Service sympathizes with the government and people of Benue, Plateau, and other states recently affected by attacks by violent criminal elements, especially the families of the victims,” Metchie said. “We agree with Governor Alia that local vigilantes and guards cannot protect communities, especially in cases where violent criminals who operate with high-grade weapons are involved.”
Highlighting the NFSS’s potential, Metchie described the Service as the “missing link” in Nigeria’s security architecture, capable of filling critical gaps through armed patrols, forest surveillance, and intelligence sharing.
He stressed that once the bill establishing the NFSS is signed into law by President Tinubu, the Service will work collaboratively with the military, police, DSS, NSCDC, and other agencies to strengthen national security efforts.
“To that end, we use this opportunity to solicit the support of Governor Alia and all other stakeholders for the NFSS bill to be signed into law by Mr. President,” Metchie added.
The NFSS is expected to play a pivotal role in tackling rural insecurity, particularly in forested regions often exploited by bandits and armed herders as hideouts.
