Nigeria has taken a major step in its fight against insecurity as about 7,000 newly recruited forest guards have graduated and are set for immediate deployment across seven frontline states.
The guards completed a rigorous three month intensive training programme under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, launched by President Bola Tinubu in May to reclaim vast forest areas taken over by bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups.
The programme is coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and represents a joint federal and state security effort aimed at restoring state control over forest territories that have long served as safe havens for criminal networks.
The Nigerian Forest Guard is an inter agency security initiative led by the National Security Adviser, with support from the Federal Ministry of Environment. Operational coordination is handled by the Department of State Services and the National Park Service, with strategic input from the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Graduation ceremonies were held on December 27 across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states, drawing senior government officials and security chiefs.
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Speaking at the ceremonies, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu described the initiative as a decisive move to restore government authority in vulnerable areas and protect communities that have suffered years of violence.
Ribadu said deployment would begin immediately, stressing that there would be no gap between graduation and active duty. According to him, salaries and allowances will commence at once, with every certified guard proceeding directly to assigned duty posts.
“These forest guards are not just uniformed personnel,” Ribadu said. “They are first responders, community protectors, and a vital layer of Nigeria’s security structure. They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories seized by criminal elements.”
He added that protecting Nigeria’s forests was directly tied to protecting lives and property, noting that the federal government plans to sustain and expand the programme nationwide.
The NSA disclosed that the training recorded a 98.2 percent completion rate, with 81 trainees dismissed for disciplinary reasons, while two others died due to pre existing medical conditions.
Authorities said the guards were recruited from their local government areas to strengthen trust, improve intelligence gathering, and boost operational effectiveness. Their local knowledge is expected to play a key role in tackling banditry, kidnapping, and the illegal exploitation of forest resources.
Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State were among those who attended the graduation ceremonies.
With the immediate deployment of the forest guards, the federal government is signaling a renewed determination to confront insecurity at its roots and deny criminal groups the forest cover they have long relied on.
