Friday, May 22, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | Abuja, Nigeria
Prominent human rights lawyer, , has strongly criticised the administration of President over the prosecution of leaders of the (NFSS), popularly known as forest guards, amid worsening insecurity across the country.
Falana described the charges against the forest guards as unjustifiable, insisting that the group had only been assisting communities, institutions, and private organisations with security at a time terrorists and bandits continue to attack several parts of Nigeria.
The Federal Government recently filed a seven-count criminal charge against seven leaders of the NFSS at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing them of illegal possession of firearms, operating an unlawful security outfit, and forging firearm licences.
The defendants include Adewale Joshua Osatimehin, Major Abubakar A. Mohammed (Rtd), SP Okonkwo Lawrence (Rtd), Usman Muazu Abdullahi Yakasai, Major Sunday Akpa (Rtd), Jov Peter Charles, and Kuku Akaa Reuben.
According to court documents, the government alleged that the organisation operated without lawful approval under the Private Guard Companies Act and was involved in trafficking firearms and ammunition without proper authorisation.
The prosecution also accused the defendants of forging 40 firearm licence booklets allegedly linked to the Nigeria Police Force, as well as possessing cartridges, locally fabricated rifles, and pistols without valid licences.
Reacting to the development, Falana said the Federal Government should focus on tackling insecurity rather than harassing local security volunteers trying to protect citizens.
“In view of the worsening insecurity in the country, the Federal Government cannot justify the ongoing harassment of the forest guards,” Falana stated.
He called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to immediately withdraw the charges and instead integrate the forest guards into Nigeria’s official security architecture.
Falana further urged the government to retrain and equip the forest guards to help combat terrorism, banditry, and violent crimes spreading across the country.
“The government should ensure that the forest guards are integrated into the security system, retrained and equipped to confront terrorists and bandits operating across the federation,” he added.
The senior lawyer also questioned why the government was prosecuting forest guards while reportedly rehabilitating and reintegrating former terrorists into society.
The prosecution has continued to generate widespread reactions from Nigerians, with many arguing that local security volunteers should be supported instead of facing criminal charges at a time insecurity remains a major national concern.
