Why forest security is crucial – NFSS

The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) has urged the Federal Government to recognise forest security as a crucial component of the nation’s overall security framework.

The Deputy Commander-General in charge of Intelligence in the NFSS, Dr John Metchie, made the call during a zonal training session for NFSS personnel in Jos.

This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Metchie said the forest had remained one of the most vulnerable and ungoverned spaces in Nigeria yet received little attention in national security planning.

“Forest security is often overlooked in Nigeria’s broader security ecosystem.

“While the army, police, and other conventional forces patrol the cities and highways, vast forest areas across Nigeria remain largely unmonitored. That’s where we come in, and that is where we are needed most,” he said.

Metchie explained that NFSS was created to bridge that gap, to gather intelligence within forests, monitor movements, and collaborate with other security agencies in tackling crimes such as banditry, arms trafficking, illegal mining, and cross-border criminality.

He said the operatives of the service were indigenous who know the terrain better than the police or army.

According to him, they are embedded in the communities, live and work in the forests which makes them effective intelligence gatherers.