NFSS Ebonyi Officers Pass Vote of No Confidence in State Commander, Demand Urgent Leadership Overhaul
By Kelechi Ugo
A group of senior officers and divisional forest officers of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Ebonyi State Command, have issued a strong vote of no confidence against the State Commander, Mr. Larry Ikema Igwe, citing alleged leadership failures and threats to operational effectiveness.
In a communiqué addressed to the Commander General of the NFSS, , the officers accused the State Command leadership of fostering division, suppressing initiative, and operating without transparency or accountability.
The statement, which followed what the officers described as “extensive meetings, complaints, and consultations” involving personnel across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State, expressed concern over what they termed “unbearable leadership style” and a growing loss of confidence in the Command structure.
The officers outlined several grievances against the State Commander, including:
Non-inclusive leadership: Alleged exclusion of senior officers from key operational and strategic decisions, alongside reported intimidation of personnel who question leadership practices.
Financial opacity: Claims of centralized financial control without adequate transparency or oversight mechanisms.
Suppression of initiative: Concerns over limited delegation of responsibilities and discouragement of independent leadership at divisional levels.
Organizational stagnation: A perceived decline in institutional growth, partnerships, and overall progress within the command.
The communiqué warned that the situation, if left unaddressed, could escalate and pose risks to both personnel and public safety.
The officers urged the NFSS National leadership to intervene urgently by:
Deploying an investigative team to review the allegations against the State Commander.
Initiating disciplinary procedures where necessary in line with federal laws and NFSS regulations.
Appointing a new State Commander with a demonstrated commitment to inclusive and transparent leadership.
Establishing financial oversight systems to ensure accountability within the command.
They also appealed to the support reforms aimed at restoring effective security coordination and public trust.
According to the officers, the current leadership crisis has eroded confidence not only within the service but also among the State Government and the general public. They stressed that restoring “peace, unity, and operational efficiency” is critical to the NFSS mandate of securing forest areas and protecting lives and property.
The communiqué was endorsed by several senior officers and divisional forest officers across the State, representing multiple Local Government Areas and operational units within the Command.
As at the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the State Commander or the national Headquarters of the NFSS regarding the allegations.
The development marks a significant internal crisis within the NFSS,with stakeholders closely watching for the next steps by the National leadership.
