FG establishes armed forest guard to reclaim ungoverned spaces nationwide
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of a fully armed Forest Guard Corps as part of a sweeping national initiative to reclaim Nigeria’s forests from terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal groups.
The plan, announced Wednesday night by Presidential Media Adviser Sunday Dare, is designed to secure Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves—many of which have become safe havens for armed non-state actors.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle (@SundayDareSD), Dare revealed that the new corps will be professionally trained, equipped with weapons, and jointly recruited by federal and state governments.
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“The President directed that the forest guards be well trained and armed to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding in the forests,” Dare said. “The recruitment will be a collaborative effort between the federal and state governments, with implementation coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment.”
The initiative is part of a broader multi-agency response that combines environmental protection with national security goals.
Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to benefit from employment opportunities under the scheme, which also aligns with the administration’s drive to reduce youth unemployment.
President Tinubu reiterated his firm stance against the occupation of Nigerian territory by criminal elements, declaring: “No inch of Nigerian territory will be surrendered to criminals.”
The Forest Guard Corps is expected to begin operations in phases, with strategic deployments aimed at gradually restoring security in rural and peri-urban areas.
By PRNigeria
