According to The Punch, President Bola Tinubu has approved a national forest guard system to address Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, authorizing the recruitment of over 130,000 armed operatives to secure 1,129 forest reserves.
Approved during a Federal Executive Council meeting, the initiative mandates states to recruit 2,000 to 5,000 forest guards based on financial capacity, with an estimated 3,500 per state, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Environment will oversee recruitment and training.
The forest guards, to be heavily armed and well-trained, aim to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs using forests as hideouts.
This federal-state collaboration follows President Tinubu’s vow to reclaim Nigeria’s forests from bandits, as stated during a Katsina State visit.
Many of Nigeria’s forest reserves, mostly state-controlled, face threats from illegal logging, encroachment, and criminal activities.
At least 11 states have operational forest guards, and the plan is to arm and upscale them under a unified national strategy.
Governors, including those of Kwara and Benue, have raised alarms over forest invasions by bandits and terrorists, with areas like Kainji Lake National Park identified as criminal corridors.
Retired General Peter Aro praised the initiative but warned that dual oversight by the Ministry of Environment and the National Security Adviser could cause confusion and weaken operational independence.
Security analyst Chidi Omeje criticized deploying forest guards against heavily armed bandits, advocating for military reinforcement, drones, and air support to reclaim forests.
Recruitment will involve rigorous vetting by security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders, ensuring high standards for the new force.
Find Verified News At Your fingertips Click The Button Below
