FG deploys 130,000 forest guards to tackle banditry, others
The federal government has unveiled a Forest Guards Initiative, aimed at flushing out bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements operating from Nigeria’s forests.
The initiative, formally launched by Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), during the opening of the Federal and States Security Administrators’ Meeting (FSSAM) at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja on Thursday, is expected to deploy a massive force of over 130,000 armed forest guards across Nigeria’s 1,129 forest and game reserves.
Ribadu said the initiative, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a decisive step towards reclaiming ungoverned forest areas that have become strongholds for violent groups responsible for widespread insecurity, kidnappings, and rural violence.
“We are taking the fight to where the criminals hide. The Forest Guards Initiative is a bold step to secure our forests, restore peace to rural communities, and deny bandits and kidnappers freedom of action”, Ribadu declared.
According to the NSA, the first phase of the operation will begin in seven frontline states, Adamawa, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, and Yobe before expanding to other parts of the country.
He described the initiative as a key component of the Tinubu administration’s broader national security agenda, which prioritizes rural safety, environmental protection, and the restoration of peace in communities most affected by violent crime.
Ribadu noted that the forest guards will be specially trained, well-equipped, and coordinated through a joint command structure to ensure intelligence sharing, rapid response, and effective territorial coverage.
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“The forests have long provided sanctuary for criminal networks. We are changing that narrative by establishing a strong, permanent security presence in these areas”, Ribadu said.
In his remarks, Muhammed Danjuma, Permanent Secretary of the Special Services Office, described the Forest Guards Initiative as a “security game-changer” that reflects unprecedented collaboration between the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Federal Ministry of Environment, and state governments.
Danjuma explained that the programme would not only target criminal activities but also help safeguard environmental assets and protect vulnerable rural populations who have borne the brunt of insecurity in recent years.
He, however, cautioned that the initiative’s success would hinge on political will, adequate funding, and consistent cooperation between the federal and state governments.
“This is a long-term investment in peace and stability. If properly sustained, it will change the security landscape of Nigeria’s rural communities”, Danjuma added.
