The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy 7,000 forest guards across seven pilot states as part of a new security strategy aimed at reclaiming Nigeria’s vast forested areas from criminal groups.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, made the announcement on Saturday in Yola, Adamawa State, during the passing-out parade of the first batch of trained forest guards.
He said the deployment would begin immediately in communities most affected by insecurity, particularly those located near forests and other poorly governed areas.
Ribadu noted that the initiative was designed to address growing public concern over banditry, insurgency, and other security threats. According to him, the guards will play a critical role in gathering actionable human intelligence, supporting existing security agencies, and re-establishing government presence in areas that have long been neglected.
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He explained that the recruits underwent rigorous three-month training that focused on both physical and mental preparedness. The programme included endurance drills, obstacle navigation, and simulated long-range patrols to equip them for prolonged operations in difficult forest terrain.
The graduating guards were trained in seven pilot states, Adamawa, Borno, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Yobe, under the Presidential Forest Guards initiative, which was launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May. The programme is a collaborative effort between the federal and state governments.
Training and coordination were handled by personnel drawn from multiple security and intelligence agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Department of State Services, Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Park Service, and the National Intelligence Agency.
Ribadu stated that the primary responsibility of the forest guards is to confront bandits, terrorists, insurgents, and other criminal elements operating within forested zones.
He added that the pilot phase would serve as a springboard for a nationwide rollout.
He further revealed that arrangements are already underway to recruit and train additional batches of guards in more states to ensure broader national coverage in the near future.
Also speaking at the event, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, urged the newly graduated guards to view their assignment as a duty to serve the people.
He advised them to carry out their responsibilities with discipline, professionalism, and respect for the communities they are deployed to protect.
