Security
NFSS Leadership Dispute: Osatimehin Urges Officers to Remain Calm After Wuhe’s Arrest
Security personnel attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser have arrested Philip Wuhe alongside four others for allegedly impersonating the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Commander General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Dr. Joshua Osatimehin.
The suspect was arrested at a garden in Area 8, Garki, Abuja, where he allegedly staged an illegal meeting with some unsuspecting Nigerians and members of the media on behalf of the Commander General of the NFSS, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin.
A DSS officer in the Office of the NSA, who confirmed the arrest and pleaded anonymity, said more than 500 application forms and other incriminating materials were recovered from the suspect at the garden.
Reacting to the incident, the Commander General of the NFSS, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, expressed concern over what he described as the unpatriotic attitude of Philip Wuhe and the four others for allegedly impersonating him, the NSA and the Federal Government.
According to Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, the NFSS case is currently in court, and he has not relinquished his position as Commander General to Philip Wuhe, as the latter allegedly claimed. He maintained that only President Bola Tinubu, through the Office of the NSA, can determine who becomes the Commander General of the NFSS.
He therefore advised members of the NFSS nationwide to remain calm, noting that necessary steps were being taken to address the issue.
“My advice to the general public, most especially our officers and men in the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, is to remain calm and be obedient to all constituted authorities. The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, has already indicated interest through various meetings I had with government officials.
At the appropriate time, the Federal Government would get across to us to be part of the nation’s security agencies.
“Therefore, nobody should claim what has not been given to him or her as regards the activities of the NFSS, just the way Philip Wuhe is claiming to be Acting CG of NFSS,” he stated.
Dr. Joshua Osatimehin also advised Nigerians against patronising the alleged illegal operations of Philip Wuhe, noting that he was bent on capitalising on the current challenges within the NFSS to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
In his words, “Nigeria Forest Security Service remains loyal and committed to the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Service is ready to be part of the national security architecture of the country to enable the Service to contribute its quota to the protection of lives and property of Nigerians,” Dr. Joshua Osatimehin added.