Federal government has deployed 7,000 forest guards to strengthen security and combat banditry, kidnapping, and illegal exploitation of forest resources across seven northern states: Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi.
Gatekeepers News reports that Nigerian Forest Guard initiative is an inter-agency programme led by National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment, and operationally coordinated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Park Service.
The programme also receives strategic and operational support from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Graduation ceremonies for the recruits were held on December 27, immediately followed by their deployment to their duty posts. Ribadu described the initiative as a key step in restoring state control and protecting vulnerable communities.
Ribadu said,” These forest guards are not just uniformed personnel. They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture.”
“They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements.”
There will be no delay between graduation and deployment. Salaries and allowances will commence immediately, and every certified guard will proceed directly to assigned duty posts.”
“By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory, and by securing our territory, we are protecting our people.”
Authorities noted that the programme recorded a 98.2 percent completion rate, with 81 trainees dismissed for disciplinary reasons and two deaths due to pre-existing medical conditions.
The forest guards are indigenous to the areas where they serve, enhancing trust, intelligence flow, and operational effectiveness.
According to the Office of the NSA (ONSA), recruiting from local communities enables the guards to leverage local knowledge in tackling security challenges.
