In a bold move to combat insecurity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new corps of armed forest guards to take charge of Nigeria’s 1,129 forests, with a clear directive to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs operating in the nation’s vast forested areas.
The President mandated the National Security Adviser (NSA) to oversee the full implementation of the initiative, beginning with the immediate recruitment and training of the forest guards. He emphasized that the guards must be well-equipped and properly armed to carry out their duties effectively.
Speaking on the development, President Tinubu described the initiative as a strategic step towards denying criminals safe haven in forests, which have become hideouts for bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists. “The forest guards will be specially trained and empowered to rid our forests of criminals who threaten our peace and national security,” he said.
He also revealed that the recruitment and deployment of the forest guards will be carried out in collaboration with state governments, marking a significant federal-state synergy in tackling insecurity across the country.
The move is expected to strengthen national security architecture and restore public confidence in government’s capacity to protect lives and property.
