Nigerian Forest Security Service

Nigerian Forest Security Service
AbbreviationNFSS
Agency overview
Formed2021
Employees50,000 +
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Nigeria
Primary governing bodyOffice of the National Security Adviser
Secondary governing bodyDepartment of State Services
Operational structure
HeadquartersAbuja
Agency executive
  • Wole Joshua Osatimehin, Commander General
Parent agencyMinistry of Environment
Website
https://nhfss.org.ng/
This are NFSS operators under the office of national security advicer
NFSS operator under Counter-terrorism unit Katsina State Command

The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) is a security organization in Nigeria operating under the supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment. The organization was formed to combat growing insecurity within the country’s vast forest reserves, which are frequently used as operational bases by bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers.

History and Evolution

Originally established as the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), For over a decade, traditional hunter associations across Nigeria's rural communities began organizing independently to protect local farmlands from criminal elements using thick woods as tactical hideouts. Under the guidance of Joshua Wale Osatimehin, these scattered volunteer associations unified under a single centralized command, evolving through several iterations including the Hunter Group of Nigeria and the Hunter Council of Nigeria, before formally establishing the Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS).


The Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (originally introduced as SB 477) was presented by the Senate Committee on Interior and successfully passed its third reading in the Senate. President Bola Tinubu granted administrative backing to the organization via the Forest Guards Initiative, instructing the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to oversee the deployment, coordination, and arming of personnel. The NFSS has historically run into legal challenges with state prosecutors regarding strict firearms licensing and the limits of its community policing powers. In late 2024, the organization rebranded to its current name. This change was announced by the Commander General, Dr. Wole Joshua Osatimehin, during a visit to Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal.

Mission

Originally created to monitor forest activities and protect wildlife, the NHFSS now plays an instrumental role in maintaining peace and security, particularly in Nigeria's rural and forested regions. These areas have often been breeding grounds for armed groups, including Boko Haram, Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP), and various bandit gangs, who exploit the vast forests as hideouts.

Structure

Governance

The NFSS is run through a centralized national governance model based out of its headquarters in Abuja:

Sub-units

Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU)

This elite force is dedicated to tackling terror-related activities. They often collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces in operations aimed at dismantling terrorist cells and locating insurgents in the country’s forests.

Operations Unit

This unit focuses on tactical field operations, such as raids, search-and-rescue missions, and patrolling forests to prevent illegal activities. Their role is crucial in maintaining a proactive approach to forest security.

Intelligence Unit

This unit plays a pivotal role in gathering information from local communities and operatives on the ground, which is then analyzed to anticipate threats or respond effectively to ongoing security challenges.

National Forest Guard Special Squad

The service includes the National Forest Guard Special Squad, whose personnel are trained and vetted by the Department of State Services (DSS) in collaboration with other armed security agencies. The DSS also coordinates the deployment and operational activities of forest guards to address insecurity in Nigeria's forests.The initiative was approved by President Bola Tinubu, with ONSA directing recruitment and arming.

Collaboration with other security agencies

A key strength of the NHFSS is its collaborative approach. The service works closely with other security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Civilian Joint Task Force. This cooperation is vital in coordinating large-scale operations and ensuring that forested regions are not safe havens for criminal activities.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Nigerian Hunter & Forest Security Service". Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  2. ↑ Nwafor, Gloria (November 30, 2024). "Osatimehin briefs minister as NHFSS rebrands as Nigerian forest security service". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "From AIT Live on Security Scope: History of the Service". Facebook. ASM News. September 29, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  4. ↑ "The Commandant General, Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS)". Facebook. ASM News. August 24, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ "The Bill to Establish the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service passes Third Reading in the Senate". Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). April 13, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Nigerian Hunter & Forest Security Service". Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Formalising Forest Security Services Will Boost Confidence Against Criminal Elements". Instagram. Arise News. July 10, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ Nwafor, Gloria (November 30, 2024). "Osatimehin briefs minister as NHFSS rebrands as Nigerian forest security service". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  9. ↑ Okogba, Emmanuel (2024-02-23). "New Face of Nigerian Hunters: Smart, Gallant, Waiting for Tinubu to sign Bill". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
  10. 1 2 "Nigerian Hunters Service to Combat Illegal Forest Activities – PLAC Legist". Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  11. ↑ Nigeria, News Agency of (2024-06-09). "NSCDC trains hunters on operational, leadership skills". Peoples Gazette. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  12. ↑ "Anambra: Hunters Recover Stolen Toyota Corolla At Nise". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  13. ↑ Nigeria, News Agency of (2024-09-10). "Hunters rescue kidnap victims in Anambra". Peoples Gazette. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  14. ↑ "Senate Committee Report on Nigerian Hunters Council Bill" (PDF). Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). April 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  15. ↑ Nwafor, Gloria (November 30, 2024). "Osatimehin briefs minister as NHFSS rebrands as Nigerian forest security service". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Nigerian Hunter & Forest Security Service". Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "The Nigerian Hunter & Forest Security Service (NHFSS) – Securing the Forests". Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  18. ↑ "The Bill to Establish the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service passes Third Reading in the Senate". Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). April 13, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  19. ↑ Ibrahim-Animashaun, Lateefat (2023-06-10). "Civil Defence Collaborates With Nigerian Hunters, Forest Security In Anambra". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  20. ↑ Abdulazeez, Arowona (2024-02-23). "Adamawa hunters collaborate with Army to fight criminalities". Royal News. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  21. ↑ Abdulhamid, Hafsat (2021-12-19). "We have capacity to assist in fight against bandits, others - Hunters". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-31.