Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Federal Government to immediately release the detained leaders of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), describing their continued detention without trial as unconstitutional. Falana made the call on Tuesday, stating that the Commander-General of the NFSS, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, along with six other officials, was arrested on April 21, 2026, on the orders of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Unlawful Detention Without Trial
Falana noted that the detained officials have remained in custody without being charged in court, a situation he said violates Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, both of which guarantee the right to personal liberty. He emphasized that the prolonged detention without trial is a clear breach of fundamental human rights and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
NFSS Contributions to National Security
The senior lawyer highlighted that the NFSS has been actively supporting security operations nationwide amid rising insecurity. He said the organization has provided security services to federal and state government agencies, corporate organizations, and private individuals in several parts of the country. Falana added that forest guards have also been deployed to secure schools located in vulnerable rural communities, thereby contributing to the protection of lives and property.
Falana further stated that members of the forest security outfit have, on several occasions, facilitated the rescue of abducted citizens and handed them over to the Nigeria Police Force. He revealed that some members of the group lost their lives during confrontations with terrorist groups and armed criminals, underscoring their sacrifice for national security.
Call for Integration into National Guard
The legal practitioner said that the arrest and detention of the forest guards are unjustifiable, especially at a time when many state governments are collaborating with vigilante groups and local security outfits to address insecurity. Falana also recalled that both chambers of the National Assembly had passed the Forest Guards Bill in recognition of the outfit's contribution to national security. He noted that the Federal Government had already indicated support for the initiative by directing the Office of the National Security Adviser and the State Security Service (SSS) to recruit 130,000 forest guards nationwide.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to integrate members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service into the proposed National Guard structure rather than subjecting them to harassment and detention. Falana also called on the Office of the NSA to release the detained leaders of the organization without delay or charge them before a court of competent jurisdiction in line with the rule of law.
