National News – A growing number of states across Nigeria have intensified the deployment and recruitment of forest guards as part of efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other security threats in remote communities.
The renewed security push follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards after a series of attacks and abductions linked to armed criminal groups in parts of Oyo and Kwara states.
Several states, including Kebbi, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa and Anambra, have either commenced recruitment, completed training or deployed operatives to vulnerable forest corridors, while others are awaiting federal directives before implementing the programme.
In Kebbi State, 819 newly trained forest guards have been deployed after completing a nine-week training programme in Kalgo Local Government Area. Deputy Governor Umar Tafida said the operatives would help deny criminal groups access to forest hideouts and urged local communities to support the initiative with timely intelligence.
Representing the National Security Adviser, Commissioner of Police Umar Hadejia disclosed that Kebbi was among seven pilot states selected for the programme, adding that the guards would immediately be stationed in ungoverned spaces and vulnerable forest areas.
Gombe State has also begun implementing its forest guard programme, with about 700 recruits undergoing specialised training in surveillance, intelligence gathering and forest security operations at the Mobile Police Training School in Osun State. The state government approved N337 million for the exercise.
Kwara State has expanded its security network with the recruitment of about 3,300 forest guards under the Presidential Forest Guards initiative. The programme initially deployed over 700 operatives across Kwara North and Kwara South, while an additional 2,600 recruits are expected to undergo advanced tactical training.
In Kaduna State, the training of 1,000 forest guards has commenced, with recruits drawn mainly from communities affected by insecurity. The operatives are expected to complement conventional security agencies through intelligence gathering and surveillance of forest areas notorious for banditry and kidnapping.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Kila, said the initiative would strengthen grassroots security and help restore confidence among residents, especially farmers.
Edo State has also announced plans to begin training newly recruited forest guards, while Imo, Bayelsa and Anambra have integrated forest security personnel into their broader security architecture to combat criminal activities.
However, some states are adopting different approaches. Ondo State said it would not recruit forest guards, citing the effectiveness of its Amotekun Corps, which has recently expanded its personnel strength. Similarly, Zamfara, Rivers, Abia, Lagos and some other states are yet to commence recruitment, largely because they are awaiting further directives from the Federal Government.
Security experts have urged caution in deploying the operatives for direct combat missions. The Special Adviser on Security to the Sokoto State Governor, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, noted that forest guards are primarily designed for surveillance, conservation and intelligence gathering, while high-risk military operations should remain the responsibility of specialised security agencies.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to confront terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations in Abuja, the President declared that Nigeria would never surrender to terrorists or criminal elements.
He assured Nigerians that the safety of citizens remains the Federal Government’s top priority, stressing that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of kidnapped victims and strengthen the capacity of security agencies.
Tinubu also acknowledged the country’s economic and security challenges, promising to intensify efforts to ease the hardship faced by Nigerians while urging citizens to reject violence, hate speech and political intolerance as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The President further called on young people not to allow themselves to be used for political violence or misinformation campaigns and appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, the media and civil society groups to continue promoting peace, unity and national cohesion.
