In a move to combat rising insecurity and reclaim Nigeria’s forests from the grip of terrorists and criminal syndicates, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a specialized Armed Forest Guards unit. The initiative is part of a comprehensive national security strategy aimed at restoring safety across Nigeria’s over 1,100 forested regions, which have become notorious hideouts for violent gangs, kidnappers, and insurgents.
The newly approved forest protection units will work in close coordination with state governments and existing security agencies to flush out criminal elements hiding in the nation’s vast woodlands. According to the Presidency, the units will not only help dismantle terrorist enclaves but will also play a crucial role in preventing the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources.
The program will be jointly overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Environment, ensuring a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to security and environmental management. Beyond improving national safety, the plan is also designed to tackle unemployment, as the Armed Forest Guard initiative will create thousands of jobs for Nigerian youths across the country.
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President Tinubu’s latest move comes amid growing public concern over the rising wave of attacks in rural areas and forests, where bandits and terrorists have established strongholds. By launching this armed unit, the administration aims to reclaim Nigeria’s forests, secure rural communities, and reinforce public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
The initiative is already generating significant buzz across social media and news platforms, with many Nigerians hailing it as a necessary and overdue response to one of the country’s most pressing security challenges.
