The Federal Government has deployed over 7,000 forest guards across Kwara, Niger and five other states to combat banditry, terrorism and kidnapping under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative
FG Deploys 7,000 Forest Guards to Tackle Banditry, Terrorism in 7 States
The Federal Government has intensified its war against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping with the deployment of over 7,000 newly trained forest guards across seven frontline states, including Kwara and Niger.
The guards, recruited under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, completed a three-month intensive training programme, with graduation ceremonies held on Friday, December 27, 2025, in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states.
The initiative, launched in May 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at denying criminal gangs access to forested hideouts that have long served as operational bases for bandits, terrorists and kidnappers.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the training programme covered physical conditioning, tactical movement, patrol operations, arms handling, ethics, legality and human rights, in line with an approved Arms Management Manual.
The ONSA disclosed that 98.2 per cent of the recruits successfully completed the training, while 81 trainees were disqualified for disciplinary infractions. It also revealed that two recruits died during training due to pre-existing medical conditions.
“All successful participants have been fully certified and cleared for operational service,” the statement said.
The forest guards were recruited from their respective local government areas, a strategy designed to leverage local knowledge of terrain, enhance community trust, and improve intelligence gathering against criminal networks.
Speaking on the deployment, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the guards would be immediately deployed to support existing security agencies nationwide.
“These Forest Guards are not just uniformed personnel. They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture,” Ribadu said.
He assured that salaries and allowances would commence without delay, stressing that the personnel would play a vital role in reclaiming territories overrun by criminal elements.
“They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements,” he added.
Ribadu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the programme nationwide as part of a broader strategy to enhance internal security and public safety.
“By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory. And by securing our territory, we are protecting our people,” he said.
The Presidential Forest Guards Initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of State Services (DSS), National Park Service, as well as the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Read More
