The deployment of forest guards has gathered momentum, with Kebbi, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa, Anambra, and several other states scaling up operations under the federal government-backed initiative, although implementation remains uneven nationwide.
The renewed focus on forest security follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards after recent attacks and abductions linked to suspected bandits in Oyo and Kwara States.
Against the backdrop of the increasing attacks by criminals, President Tinubu on Sunday restated his administration’s commitment to intensify the fight against insecurity and ensure the release of all persons held captive across the country.
In Kebbi State, 819 newly trained National Forest Guards have been deployed following a nine-week intensive training programme held in Kalgo Local Government Area.
Deputy Governor Umar Tafida at the passing-out ceremony said the operatives were being deployed to deny criminal groups access to forest reserves used as hideouts.
He urged traditional rulers and local communities to support the initiative by sharing intelligence.
Representing the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, said Kebbi was among seven pilot states selected for the scheme.
“The newly trained forest guards will be deployed immediately to ungoverned spaces and vulnerable forest corridors to enhance security and support existing law enforcement efforts,” Hadejia said.
Meanwhile, in Gombe State, the government said it had commenced implementation of its forest guard programme, with recruits currently undergoing training at the Mobile Police Training School in Osun State.
The Director-General of Press Affairs at the Government House, Ismaila Misilli, told The PUNCH that about 700 recruits had been screened and selected for specialised training in surveillance, intelligence gathering and forest security operations.
He added that Governor Muhammadu Yahaya had approved N337m for the exercise.
“The state has already activated the process and is actively building the operational capacity of its forest guards as part of broader efforts to enhance security and protect forest reserves across Gombe State,” Misilli said.
Transitioning to Kwara State, the government disclosed that about 3,300 forest guards had been recruited and deployed under the Presidential Forest Guards initiative to strengthen rural security.
The programme began with over 700 operatives deployed across Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts, working alongside security agencies and vigilante groups.
In October 2025, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the recruitment and advanced tactical training of an additional 2,600 operatives.
A statement made available to The PUNCH by the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Akeweje Fafoluyi, said the expansion was aimed at improving security coverage across the state.
“The new recruits will join the 700 forest guards earlier engaged, who are already working alongside security agencies at the frontline to combat banditry and restore peace in affected communities,” he said.
He added that the operatives would undergo advanced military training to improve operational effectiveness.
However, in Benue State, the Director-General of the Bureau for Homeland Security, retired Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan, clarified that the recruitment of forest guards is a federal responsibility.
Speaking in a telephone interview, he said recruits from the state had already commenced training.
“It is the Federal Government that recruits forest guards and not the states. Those recruited in Benue have gone for training,” he said.
