In a major boost to Nigeria’s internal security, the Federal Government has announced the graduation and immediate deployment of over 7,000 newly recruited Forest Guards.
The announcement, made by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), follows the successful completion of an intensive three-month training program under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, which was originally launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2025.
The graduation ceremonies took place on December 27 across seven frontline states, including Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi. This coordinated federal-state intervention is specifically designed to strengthen the nation’s security architecture by denying terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers sanctuary within Nigeria’s vast and often impenetrable forested terrains.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, speaking at the graduation ceremonies, characterised the initiative as a decisive step toward restoring state authority and protecting vulnerable communities.
He emphasised that these guards are not merely uniformed personnel but serve as first responders and community protectors who will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support larger security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements.
The training curriculum was rigorous, blending environmental conservation principles with advanced tactical security competencies. Trainees underwent extensive physical and mental conditioning, ranging from long-range patrol simulations to ambush response and rescue operations.
Beyond combat readiness, the program placed a heavy emphasis on ethics and legality, incorporating modules on human rights, International Humanitarian Law, and the protection of civilians. All arms handling will be strictly governed by a manual agreed upon by all participating agencies.
A notable feature of this force is its local composition. The graduating guards are indigenous to the local government areas they will protect, allowing the government to leverage their familiarity with the terrain and existing community trust to counter illegal resource exploitation and banditry more effectively.
The NSA confirmed that there will be no lag between training and duty, stating that salaries and allowances commence immediately as guards proceed directly to their assigned posts. While the program recorded a high success rate of 98.2 percent, the ONSA noted that 81 trainees were disqualified on disciplinary grounds, and two passed away due to pre-existing medical conditions.
This inter-agency initiative is led by the ONSA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, with operational coordination provided by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Park Service. Strategic support is also drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police Force, and the Civil Defence Corps to ensure unity of command.
The ceremonies were attended by high-ranking officials, including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. Mr Ribadu concluded the proceedings by reaffirming the government’s commitment to expanding the initiative nationwide, asserting that securing the nation’s forests is an essential pillar in the broader effort to build a safer Nigeria.
