The Commander General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, NFSS, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, has expressed his agreement with Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on his assertion that local vigilantes and forest guards set up by the state government lack the capacity to confront bandits and other violent criminals terrorsing local communities.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the Governor said the State Protection Guards were only permitted to carry Dane guns, while militias brazenly wield AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, making enforcement dangerous and largely ineffective.

The Governor was reacting to the poser raised by a group, Benue Advocacy Network, over the rising insecurity despite the existence of an anti-open grazing law.

Responding to questions by newsmen on the issue on Monday in Abuja, Osatimehin, who spoke through the Deputy Commander General, Intelligence, Ambassador John Metchie, said the proposed law for the establishment of NFSS, allows its operatives to bear arms, saying the Service would have what it takes to comb forests, flush out criminals and protect local communities in Benue and other states across the country from attacks.

Metchie while expressing sympathy and solidarity with the government and people of Benue State for the recent killings that took place in some communities in the area, however commended the military and other security agencies for rising up to the occasion, with a view of ensuring that such ugly incidences do not re-occur.

He also commented President Bola Tinubu for personally visiting the affected state and giving directives to the security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the crimes.

“The Nigerian Forest Security Service, sympathies with the government and people of Benue, Plateau and other states recently affected by attacks by violent criminal elements, especially families of the victims.

“We agree with Governor Alia that local vigilantes and guards cannot protect communities, especially in cases where violent criminals who operate with high grade weapons are involved.

“It is for that reason that the NFSS is here as the missing link to bridge the gap. We recognize and commend the Nigerian military, the Police, the Department of State Security, Office of the National Security Advisor, the NSCDC and other relevant agencies for the untiring efforts to secure the nation and protect her people and properties.

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has ordered a statewide crackdown on all identified and suspected criminal hideouts in the state.

This move is in a bid to tackle the rising threat of cultism and organized crime in Nasarawa State.

Ramhan Nansel, the Command’s Spokesperson told reporters in the state that the directive comes on the heels of intelligence reports indicating that cult groups are plotting to mark July 7th (7/7) with coordinated criminal actions in several parts of the country, including Nasarawa State.

According to Nansel, the CP, in a high-level engagement with hotel owners and managers from the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, held at the Police Command Headquarters in Lafia, stated the need for collaboration between law enforcement and the hospitality sector.

“You are our partners in security. As the eyes and ears of the community, we urge you to be alert, and report any suspicious gatherings or bookings immediately.

“If you see something, say something,” the CP stated.

The meeting, which sought to strengthen community policing and information-sharing networks, received commendations from hotel operators.

The hoteliers pledged their full cooperation with the Police and other security agencies in ensuring the safety of lives and property.

Following the interaction, Shetima directed immediate intelligence-driven raids on all known and suspected cultist enclaves and criminal hideouts across the state.

He also charged officers to carry out the operation with professionalism and to respect the fundamental human rights of all one involved.

The hoteliers pledged their full cooperation with the Police and other security agencies in ensuring the safety of lives and property.

Following the interaction, Shetima directed immediate intelligence-driven raids on all known and suspected cultist enclaves and criminal hideouts across the state.

He also charged officers to carry out the operation with professionalism and to respect the fundamental human rights of all one involved.

The Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, said that Dangote Refinery’s petrol distribution initiative, billed to kick off on August 15, 2025, would help in curbing Nigeria’s headline inflation, which stood at 22.97 percent as of May.