The Nigeria Forest Security Service has completed training for over 24,000 new officers across the country as part of efforts to strengthen security in vulnerable forest areas.
NFSS Commander General Joshua Osatimehin announced the milestone on Monday during the closing of a five-day capacity-building workshop held simultaneously in six geopolitical zones. The intensive program focused on intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and refresher courses for operatives working in high-risk forest zones.
“These recruits underwent rigorous vetting by security agencies and traditional institutions before training,” Osatimehin said, revealing breakdowns of 6,836 operatives trained in Abuja, 4,122 in Plateau, 6,856 in Gombe and over 9,000 in the Southeast region.
The security chief appealed to President Bola Tinubu to sign the NFSS Establishment Bill into law following its passage by the National Assembly, noting that formal legal backing would enhance operations against forest-based criminal activities.
Deputy Commander General John Metchie assured Nigerians of improved security, urging public support for the newly trained officers. “We need heroes who will protect our forests and border communities with courage,” Osatimehin added, charging personnel to serve with integrity.
The mass training comes amid growing security challenges in Nigeria’s forested regions, which have become hideouts for bandits and kidnappers in recent years. Security analysts say the initiative could significantly bolster Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations if properly implemented.