Diya Akintunde
Over 130,000 Forest Guards Set For Deployment—NSA
The Federal Government, through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday, launched a new security measure called “Forest Guards Initiative”.
The initiative seeks to tackle persistent threats from bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups operating within Nigeria’s forests.
Ribadu announced the initiative during the opening of the Federal and States Security Administrators’ Meeting (FSSAM) at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja on Thursday.
Ribadu explained that the programme, approved by President Bola Tinubu, signals a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to internal security by focusing on reclaiming the forests that have long sheltered violent groups.
“We are taking the fight to where the criminals hide.
“The Forest Guards Initiative is a bold step to secure our forests, restore peace to rural communities, and deny bandits and kidnappers freedom of action,” he said.
Providing details, Ribadu said over 130,000 armed forest guards will be deployed across the country’s 1,129 forest and game reserves.
The first phase of the operation will begin with deployments in “Adamawa, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, and Yobe States”.
He Ribadu emphasised that the initiative aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader national security agenda aimed at restoring peace and stability while boosting rural safety.
Applauding the development, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mr Muhammed Danjuma, earlier explained that the programme is a joint effort between the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with state governments.
Danjuma described the Forest Guards Initiative as a “security game-changer” designed to reclaim forest areas from criminal networks, safeguard environmental assets, and protect vulnerable rural populations.
He stressed, however, that the programme’s success would depend on political will, adequate funding, and sustained cooperation between federal and state authorities.
