The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) has trained more than 24,000 new officers across the country in its continued effort to enhance forest security and intelligence gathering.

Commander General of the NFSS, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the closing ceremony of a five-day National Capacity-Building Workshop. The training was conducted simultaneously in all six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

According to Osatimehin, the exercise marked the second quarterly training for the year and aimed to improve intelligence operations, inter-agency collaboration, and overall response to criminal activities within forested regions.

“This quarter’s training has been remarkably successful. We have successfully trained over 24,000 recruits nationwide,” he said.

He noted that all participants were rigorously screened by the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and traditional institutions before undergoing intensive refresher courses provided by various security agencies.

The NFSS Commander General emphasized that the training sessions occurred concurrently at strategic locations across the country and demonstrated the agency’s robust collaboration with key law enforcement bodies including the Police, DSS, Civil Defence, and the military.

“Officers received lectures on actionable intelligence, inter-agency synergy, and the importance of timely communication with law enforcement to confront forest-based threats effectively,” Osatimehin added.

Breakdown of trained personnel includes:

• 6,836 operatives in the FCT
• 4,122 in Plateau State
• 6,856 in Gombe State
• Over 9,000 across the South East region

On legislative matters, Osatimehin called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the NFSS Establishment Bill into law, following its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly.

“We urge the President to give assent to the bill, which will grant legal status to the NFSS, empowering our officers with the confidence and authority needed to confront criminals operating in Nigeria’s forests,” he appealed.

He charged the newly inducted officers to serve with courage, integrity, and a sense of patriotism.

“Nigerians need heroes men and women who wear their uniforms with honour and stand ready to defend our forest resources and communities,” Osatimehin said.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence), Dr. John Metchie, assured Nigerians of improved security outcomes. He reaffirmed NFSS’s commitment to combating crimes in forest regions and called for continued public support in the fight against insecurity.