ABUJA, Nigeria – In a move to address rising insecurity across the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of more than 130,000 forest guards to help secure Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves. The decision was confirmed May 15, following an expanded meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
The initiative, to be supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Ministry of Environment, will involve each state recruiting between 2,000 and 5,000 armed and trained guards, depending on its financial capacity.
Structure and Oversight
An estimated 3,500 recruits per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, are expected to form the core of the new nationwide force. The guards will be responsible for addressing security threats in forested regions, including the presence of criminal gangs and suspected terrorists.
According to a statement by Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president on media, the guards will be heavily armed and trained to operate to national security standards.
Existing State Efforts
At least 11 states have already launched similar forest guard units, also referred to as forest rangers or forest security forces. States including Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, and Benue have reported deploying such units to address threats in forest areas. The federal plan aims to unify and expand these efforts under a coordinated national framework.
Security Challenges
Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves span large areas of land and have increasingly become sites for banditry, kidnapping, and illegal exploitation of natural resources. Recent incidents in Kwara State’s Upper Ogun Forest Reserve and Kainji Lake National Park have underscored the need for improved security operations.
Expert Perspectives
Retired Army Gen. Peter Aro described the recruitment initiative as a timely and critical response to growing insecurity. He cautioned, however, that dual oversight by the ONSA and the Ministry of Environment could pose coordination challenges.
Security analyst Chidi Omeje raised concerns about sending lightly armed guards into high-risk areas. He recommended stronger military involvement supported by advanced technologies such as aerial surveillance and drone systems.
Next Steps
Debate continues over the structure and long-term effectiveness of the new security force. The federal government has committed to rigorous recruitment and training, with plans to involve local community leaders and security agencies to enhance implementation and accountability.
