The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy 7,000 newly trained forest guards across Nigeria as part of renewed efforts to address insecurity, especially in forested and hard-to-reach areas. The guards will be deployed initially in seven pilot states as the government works toward expanding the programme nationwide.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed this on Saturday in Yola, Adamawa State, during the graduation ceremony of the forest guards who have completed their training. The event marked a major step in the implementation of the Presidential Forest Guards initiative introduced earlier this year.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ribadu said the government understands the concerns of Nigerians over rising insecurity in different parts of the country. He noted that bandits, insurgents, and other criminal groups have taken advantage of forested and ungoverned spaces to carry out attacks, hide weapons, and evade security forces.
“We are fully aware of Nigerians’ concerns about insecurity across the country,” the NSA said. “Accordingly, the newly trained Forest Guards will be deployed immediately to all the affected communities in the highlighted states, particularly around forested and ungoverned spaces.”
According to him, the forest guards will play a key role in restoring government presence in areas where criminals have operated freely for years. He explained that the guards are expected to work closely with existing security agencies by gathering useful information, supporting ongoing operations, and helping to secure local communities.
Nigeria has struggled with insecurity for over a decade, with challenges ranging from insurgency in the North-East to banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery in the North-West and North-Central regions. Many of these crimes are linked to forests and remote areas that are difficult for conventional security forces to patrol regularly.
The forest guards initiative was designed to address this gap. The programme focuses on securing vast forest reserves and border areas that have long served as hideouts for criminal groups. By deploying trained personnel familiar with forest terrain, the government hopes to reduce crime and improve safety for residents living near these areas.
Ribadu explained that the guards underwent a tough and carefully planned training programme to prepare them for the task ahead. “Trainees underwent extensive physical and mental conditioning, including endurance exercises, obstacle-crossing drills, and long-range patrol simulations to prepare them for sustained forest operations,” he said.
The training lasted three months and took place in the seven pilot states of Adamawa, Borno, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Yobe. These states were selected due to their security challenges and the presence of large forest areas that have been linked to criminal activities.
According to the NSA, the training focused not only on physical strength but also on discipline, teamwork, and respect for human rights. He stressed that the guards are expected to operate within the law and work with local communities to achieve lasting peace.
The Presidential Forest Guards initiative was launched in May by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a joint effort between the federal and state governments. The programme reflects the administration’s commitment to using new approaches to tackle insecurity and protect lives and property.
To ensure quality training, instructors and coordinators were drawn from several security and intelligence agencies. These include the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Park Service, and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
The involvement of multiple agencies, according to security experts, shows the importance the government attaches to the programme. It also allows the forest guards to benefit from the experience and knowledge of professionals who have operated in different security environments across the country.
The mandate of the forest guards is to support efforts to tackle banditry, insurgency, terrorism, and other crimes linked to forest zones. While they are not meant to replace the military or police, they will serve as an added layer of security, especially in areas where regular patrols are difficult.
Ribadu said the pilot phase of the programme has provided a strong foundation for wider deployment. He disclosed that plans are already underway to recruit and train more forest guards in additional states.
“As we speak, processes have commenced to train new batches across additional states, ensuring rapid expansion and comprehensive national coverage,” the NSA said. He added that the goal is to eventually have forest guards operating in all parts of the country where the need exists.
The graduation ceremony also featured remarks from the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who hosted the event. Governor Fintiri congratulated the guards on completing their training and urged them to see their new role as a call to national service.
He advised the guards to carry out their duties with discipline and respect for the people they are meant to protect. “You must treat residents with civility and respect. The success of this assignment depends on your relationship with the communities,” the governor said.
Fintiri noted that community support is essential for any security effort to succeed. He encouraged the guards to build trust with local leaders and residents, who can provide useful information and support their operations.
Many residents and security analysts have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a positive step toward addressing long-standing security gaps. They note that forests have played a major role in Nigeria’s security challenges and that focused attention on these areas is long overdue.
However, some have also stressed the need for proper supervision, funding, and coordination to ensure the success of the programme. They argue that the forest guards must be well-equipped and supported to avoid becoming overwhelmed by heavily armed criminal groups.
As the first batch of 7,000 forest guards prepares for deployment, expectations are high that the initiative will bring relief to communities affected by violence and fear. The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it remains committed to improving security and restoring peace across the country.