The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) has sought collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes in the country.

The request was made, yesterday, when the NFSS Commander-General, Adewole Joshua Osatimehin, led a delegation of his management team on a courtesy visit to EFCC’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

Osatimehin, during the visit, commended Olukoyede’s leadership stride in tackling corruption and especially in bringing highly-placed corrupt individuals to justice.

“We are here today after considering your vision for this organisation. Since you took over, high-profile individuals who thought they were untouchable were brought to book, and Nigeria is feeling the impact. We want to be part of your success story,” he said.

He said that the NFSS had a widespread grassroots presence that could support the EFCC in intelligence gathering across the country.

He, therefore, appealed to the anti-graft agency for capacity building of NFSS personnel, particularly in the area of investigation.

Olukoyede, in his remark, welcomed the desire of the NFSS to collaborate with the EFCC towards the achievement of the mandates of both agencies of the government.

“Everybody must be involved in ensuring security in Nigeria. Even at the private level. Provided they can offer value, we can work together. Anyone who understands what is going on in our forests today knows there is a need for synergy with forest guards,” he said.

The EFCC boss regretted that forests across the country have become safe havens for criminal elements and called for collaborative action of all stakeholders.

He assured the delegation of the Commission’s willingness to partner with organisations whose mandates align with that of the EFCC.

He, however, granted NFSS’s request for capacity building by the EFCC in the area of investigation.