The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), headed by Nuhu Ribadu, has arrested the Commander-General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Osatimehin Joshua Wole and six other members of the group.
Sahara Reporters, quoting security sources, said the suspects were arrested and are being detained in Abuja.
L.E. Okonkwo, retired Major Abubakar A. Muhammed, retired Major Sunday Akpa, Usman Muazu Abdullahi, Peter Jov and Reuben Kuku are among those reportedly detained.
“They are being detained in Abuja,” confirmed a source in the know of the development.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service has a duty to secure forest areas in the country, particularly as it relates to fighting banditry and kidnapping.
In his role as Commander-General, Osatimehin has been hailed as a critical link between local intelligence networks and the formal security agencies.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities have not disclosed the exact reasons for the detention.
There has been no official comment on the development from the Office of the National Security Adviser or the NFSS.
In May 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of an armed forest guard unit to tackle insecurity in forested areas.
The move was intended to address the rising cases of kidnapping and terrorism linked to criminal gangs operating in the forests.
Osatimehin had in October 2025 appealed to the President to sign into law the bill establishing the NFSS, stressing the need for a specialised agency to secure Nigeria’s forests.
The Senate had also urged the passage of the NFSS Bill following increasing attacks and abductions in rural communities.
