The Nigerian federal government has commenced the deployment of 7,000 newly trained forest guards across seven pilot states, marking a significant escalation in efforts to combat widespread insecurity and reclaim vast ungoverned forest territories. National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu announced the immediate deployment on Saturday in Yola, Adamawa State, following the guards’ intensive three-month graduation ceremony. This initiative directly targets areas severely affected by banditry, insurgency, and terrorism, where dense forests have long served as havens for criminal elements.
These specially trained guards will be strategically positioned in communities most vulnerable to insecurity, particularly those bordering or within forested regions that have become strongholds for various criminal groups. Their primary mandate involves gathering crucial human intelligence, providing direct support to ongoing security operations, and re-establishing government authority in areas where state presence has been either tenuous or entirely absent for prolonged periods. The objective is to dismantle the operational bases of these groups and restore stability to affected populations.
NSA Ribadu explicitly stated that the forest guards are tasked with confronting bandits, insurgents, terrorists, and other perpetrators exploiting Nigeria’s expansive and often impenetrable forest landscapes. This deployment signifies a concerted effort to enhance the capabilities of existing security agencies, fostering closer collaboration to effectively counter the complex challenges posed by these entrenched criminal networks. Their work is considered vital to disrupting the supply lines and communication channels of these groups.
The deployment stems from the Presidential Forest Guards initiative, launched by President Bola Tinubu in May, conceptualized as a collaborative effort between the federal government and state authorities. This programme underscores the administration’s firm resolve to tackle insecurity through a proactive, intelligence-driven strategy, moving beyond reactive measures to preempt and neutralize threats at their source. It represents a multi-pronged approach to national security.
Training for the new recruits was rigorous, conducted simultaneously across the seven pilot states, designed to prepare them for the harsh realities of forest operations. Trainees underwent extensive physical and mental conditioning, including demanding endurance exercises, complex obstacle-crossing drills, and realistic long-range patrol simulations. This comprehensive preparation ensures they are equipped to operate effectively in challenging terrains and hostile environments.
Instructors and coordinators for the intensive training program were drawn from a broad spectrum of Nigeria’s security and intelligence apparatus. This included personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Park Service, and the National Intelligence Agency, pooling diverse expertise to create a formidable force. Their combined knowledge provided the recruits with a holistic understanding of security operations.
The seven initial beneficiary states are Adamawa, Borno, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Yobe – regions consistently plagued by high levels of insecurity linked to forest-based criminality. The selection of these states highlights the strategic focus on reclaiming critical geographical areas that have historically provided refuge and operational advantages to criminal enterprises. This targeted approach aims for maximum impact in the most critical zones.
Addressing the graduates, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri urged them to view their assignment as a profound call to national service. He emphasized the critical importance of professionalism, respect for civilian populations, and maintaining civility with host communities. Governor Fintiri stressed that earning the trust and cooperation of local residents would be absolutely instrumental to the overall success and sustainability of the entire initiative.
NSA Ribadu confirmed that this initial deployment constitutes only the pilot phase of a broader national strategy. The federal government has already initiated processes for recruiting and training new batches of guards in additional states, signaling a firm commitment to rapidly expand the programme for comprehensive national coverage. This phased rollout allows for lessons learned to be incorporated into subsequent expansions.
The deployment of these 7,000 forest guards is widely anticipated to significantly bolster ongoing security operations within Nigeria’s volatile forested regions. It aims to decisively disrupt the long-standing use of these areas as hideouts and staging grounds for criminal gangs, ultimately contributing to the restoration of peace, order, and legitimate governance across the nation. This marks a pivotal step in Nigeria’s fight against internal security threats.
