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.
They alleged that Mr Larry looted about #50 million from the personnel of NFSS Ebonyi State,syphoned the 41.6m paid to NFSS by Ebonyi State Governor, defrauded #21,500 from each of the 260 personnel and officers of NFSS from Ikwo LGA,400 for rank,300 from Mr. Orugbala Dominic,the DFO of Ezza South and 150 from Nkwuda Ernest from Izzi LGA all in the name of issuing them ranks.
"He collected 18,000 for insurance from more three thousand personnel of NFSS in Ebonyi state without remitting the money to the insurance people
He collected From each of the 13 Local government 15000 for national levy
He collected 8000 from each of 13 local government areas in the name of going to see CG but at the end syphoned the money and refused the 13 LGA DFOs from seeing the CG
Larry collected 29000 from each of the officers of NFSS Ebonyi state across all the 13 LGA during the oji river training
Larry, the State NFSS lawyer, State admin and another representative of counter terrorism were asked to defend the allegation alleged against him but could not defend any.
After then,the National Headquarters of NFSS under the leadership of CG. Amb. Adewole Joshua Osatihmen ordered him to go and apologize for his mischievous and fraudulent act to NFSS Ebonyi state, DFOs and its senior officers and to pay back those money he looted from the Command to the officers he looted it from
But unfortunately, the officers categorically said they don't want him any more,"the communique read.
When contacted via cellphone to ascertain his own side of the story,Mr. Larry Ikema Igwe stated that the National leadership of NFSS has resolved the crisis.
