Former senator Ben Murray-Bruce said National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu deserved praise for approving the immediate establishment of at least 1,000 forest guards [1].
The initiative aims to strengthen national security by targeting banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping. It also addresses the ongoing challenge of illegal mining, and other criminal activities within Nigeria's forested regions [1, 3].
Murray-Bruce said the move was a critical step in securing the country's borders and interior. The deployment is part of a broader strategy to reclaim territories currently held by armed groups [1, 2].
Reports indicate varying scales of the deployment across the country. While some sources focus on the immediate approval of 1,000 guards [1], others note that 1,000 forest guards have already completed training and held a passing-out parade specifically in Kwara State [3].
Further data suggests the scope of the program is larger than a single state. Over 7,000 forest guards have graduated across seven frontline states, including Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi [4].
These guards are tasked with patrolling difficult terrains where traditional military forces may struggle to maintain a permanent presence. The strategy relies on local knowledge and specialized training to disrupt the logistics of criminal networks [3, 4].
Ribadu's security measures focus on a coordinated approach between state and federal agencies. The integration of these guards into the national security framework is intended to provide a more granular level of surveillance [1, 2].
“The initiative aims to strengthen national security by targeting banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.”
The deployment of thousands of forest guards represents a shift toward decentralized, terrain-specific security in Nigeria. By focusing on frontline states and utilizing specialized units, the government is attempting to close security gaps in rural areas that have historically served as sanctuaries for bandits and terrorists.
