The Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to sign the Nigerian Forest Security Service Bill into law, aiming to curb rising incidents of kidnapping, terrorism, and other crimes in the country’s forested areas.
Following the abduction of the Obalohun of Okoloke, James Ogunyanda, a traditional ruler in his constituency, Senator Sunday Karimi sponsored a motion, which the Senate adopted, calling for assent to the bill.
Armed assailants stormed the monarch’s palace on the night of May 15, reportedly kidnapping him and taking him to an undisclosed location. Senator Karimi has expressed concern over the lack of official updates from security agencies regarding the incident.
He confirmed that local vigilante groups and residents have launched a search operation in the surrounding forests to locate and secure the release of the monarch.
The lawmaker urged the Senate to call on the federal government to direct all relevant security agencies to prioritise the rescue of the abducted monarch and restore peace in the affected community.
He also took the opportunity to highlight the Nigerian Forest Security Service Bill, which was recently passed by the National Assembly and aims to establish a specialized security agency responsible for protecting the country’s forests, now seen as hotspots for illegal activities and criminal hideouts.
He stressed that the bill is in line with President Tinubu’s vision of establishing a national Forest Guard, as directed by the President to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
“This Bill can be brought back to accommodate Mr. President’s line of thought, regarding the setting up of the proposed Forest Guard,” he said.
Deputy Senate Leader Oyelola Ashiru described the abduction of the Kogi traditional ruler as disheartening, and following deliberations, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, put the motion to a vote, which received overwhelming support from senators.
