FG Deploys 7,000 Forest Guards to Tackle Banditry, Terrorism in Kwara, Niger, 5 Other States
The Federal Government has graduated more than 7,000 newly recruited forest guards drawn from seven frontline states as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and deny criminal groups access to forest hideouts.
The guards completed a three-month training programme under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, with graduation ceremonies held on Friday, December 27, 2025, in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states.
The initiative, launched in May 2025 by President Bola Tinubu, is designed to curb banditry, terrorism and kidnapping by securing forested areas that have long served as safe havens for criminal elements. Under the programme, states were directed to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 forest guards.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Saturday, the training covered physical conditioning, patrol operations, tactical movement, ethics, legality and human rights. Trainees were also instructed in arms handling and use-of-force procedures in line with an agreed Arms Management Manual.
The ONSA disclosed that 98.2 per cent of the recruits successfully completed the programme, while 81 trainees were disqualified on disciplinary grounds. It added that two recruits died during training due to pre-existing medical conditions.
“All successful participants have been fully certified and cleared for operational service,” the statement said.
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It further noted that the forest guards were recruited from their respective local government areas, a strategy aimed at leveraging their familiarity with the terrain and community trust to combat banditry, kidnapping and the illegal exploitation of forest resources.
Speaking on the initiative, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, said the newly trained guards would be deployed immediately to their duty posts to support existing security agencies.
“These Forest Guards are not just uniformed personnel. They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture,” Ribadu said.
He added that there would be no delay in their deployment, stressing that salaries and allowances would commence immediately.
“They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements,” he stated.
Ribadu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the programme nationwide as part of sustained efforts to enhance public safety.
“By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory. And by securing our territory, we are protecting our people,” he said.
The Presidential Forest Guards Initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Department of State Services, the National Park Service, as well as the armed forces, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
By PRNigeria
