Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Borno State as part of efforts to tackle the worsening security situation in the state and other parts of the North-East.
Falana made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday, where he urged the Federal Government to extend to Borno the same level of attention recently given to Oyo State following a series of security incidents.
According to him, the security challenges facing Borno require urgent intervention, especially because hundreds of citizens, including schoolchildren, are reportedly still being held captive by terrorists and bandits operating in forest areas.
The senior lawyer said the Federal Government should not delay in taking decisive measures to strengthen security around communities vulnerable to attacks.
He noted that President Tinubu recently approved the recruitment of forest guards in Oyo State and also sent a high-powered federal delegation to the state after the abduction of pupils and teachers. Falana argued that Borno deserves a similar response because of the scale of insecurity confronting its people.
“In view of the fact that not less than 415 abducted school children and other citizens are in the illegal custody of bandits and terrorists in unknown forests in Borno State, the President should also dispatch a high-powered federal delegation to visit the state in solidarity with the people,” Falana said.
He stressed that such a visit would demonstrate the Federal Government’s concern for victims and their families while also drawing greater national attention to the security crisis in the state.
Borno has remained one of the states most affected by insurgency in Nigeria. For more than a decade, communities across the state have faced attacks by terrorist groups, leading to the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions of people.
Although military operations have weakened some insurgent groups over the years, attacks on communities, kidnappings, and ambushes of security personnel continue to occur in parts of the state. Many residents have repeatedly called for stronger security measures to protect lives and property.
Falana believes one of the ways to improve security is through the establishment of a well-trained and properly equipped forest guard system capable of operating in difficult terrains where terrorists and bandits often hide.
“The President should equally approve the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for the state without any further delay,” he said.
According to him, the proposed forest guards should not merely exist in name but must be given the necessary training, equipment, and support required to carry out their duties effectively.
“The forest guards must be well trained and fully equipped to confront the bandits and terrorists who are armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons,” Falana added.
In recent years, calls have increased for the creation of specialised security units dedicated to monitoring forests and rural areas. Supporters of the idea believe such units can provide valuable intelligence, improve surveillance, and assist conventional security agencies in combating crime.
Falana also used the opportunity to call for a review of ongoing legal actions involving members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS).
The Nigeria Forest Security Service is a group that has for years advocated a greater role in protecting forests and supporting security operations in remote communities. Some of its members have been involved in legal disputes with the Federal Government.
The senior lawyer argued that since the Federal Government has now embraced the concept of forest guards as part of efforts to address insecurity, it should reconsider criminal proceedings involving leaders and members of the organisation.
He specifically appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to discontinue a case currently before the Federal High Court.
“Since the Federal Government has now embraced the forest guard initiative, the Attorney-General should discontinue the criminal case pending at the Federal High Court against the seven leaders and members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service,” Falana said.
According to him, ending the prosecution would be consistent with the government’s new approach to strengthening security through forest-based protection initiatives.
Falana maintained that the adoption of these recommendations would not only help improve security in Borno State but also restore confidence among citizens who have continued to live under the threat of attacks and abductions.
He said residents of the state deserve stronger protection and reassurance from the government, particularly those whose relatives remain in captivity.
The call comes at a time when security remains one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria. Despite ongoing military operations and various security reforms, many communities across different parts of the country continue to face threats from insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups.
Successive governments have introduced different measures to address the problem, including increased military deployments, intelligence gathering, community policing initiatives, and collaboration with local vigilante groups.
However, concerns remain over the ability of security agencies to effectively monitor forests and remote areas that criminals often use as operational bases.
As insecurity continues to affect livelihoods, education, and economic activities in many communities, stakeholders are urging both federal and state governments to adopt measures capable of providing long-term solutions.
For the people of Borno, many hope that renewed attention from the Federal Government and stronger security interventions will help reduce attacks, secure the release of captives, and bring lasting peace to a state that has borne the heavy burden of conflict for many years.