The Federal Government has announced the deployment of 7,000 newly trained forest guards to seven pilot states, aiming to curb rising insecurity and reclaim Nigeria’s vast ungoverned forests.
National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu made the announcement on Saturday in Yola, Adamawa State, during the graduation ceremony of the forest guards.
“These guards will be deployed immediately to communities hardest hit by insecurity, especially forested areas that have become hideouts for criminals,” Ribadu said.
The forest guards’ main role is to gather human intelligence, support ongoing security operations, and restore government presence in areas long neglected. They will work alongside existing security agencies to combat banditry, insurgency, terrorism, and other criminal activities originating from forest hideouts.
The guards completed a rigorous three-month training program in the seven pilot states: Adamawa, Borno, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Yobe. The training included physical conditioning, obstacle-crossing drills, long-range patrol simulations, and endurance exercises, preparing them for the demanding realities of forest operations.
Ribadu explained that the initiative, launched by President Bola Tinubu in May, reflects the administration’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-driven security measures. Trainers and coordinators came from multiple security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, DSS, NSCDC, National Park Service, and National Intelligence Agency.
The deployment represents only the pilot phase. The government plans to expand the program nationwide, with new recruitment and training programs already underway in additional states.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri urged the forest guards to approach their assignment as a national service, emphasizing professionalism, civility, and building trust with host communities as key to the program’s success.
The initiative is expected to strengthen security in forested regions long exploited by criminal gangs, signaling a major step in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism.
