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FG Graduates Over 7,000 Forest Guards, Begins Immediate Deployment Nationwide
The Federal Government has graduated more than 7,000 Forest Guards drawn from seven frontline states, with immediate deployment to forested and hard-to-reach areas across the country as part of renewed efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The graduation followed the successful completion of an intensive three-month training programme under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, launched in May 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The programme is coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as a joint Federal–State security intervention aimed at reclaiming Nigeria’s forests from criminal exploitation.
Graduation ceremonies were held simultaneously on Friday in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi States.
Speaking at the ceremonies, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, described the initiative as a decisive step toward restoring state authority in areas long dominated by criminal elements.
“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 explained that the guards would be tasked with holding reclaimed territory, gathering actionable intelligence and supporting ongoing security operations to deny terrorists, bandits and kidnappers access to forest sanctuaries.
Ribadu confirmed that deployment would begin immediately, stressing that there would be no gap between graduation and operational duty.
“There will be no delay between graduation and deployment. Salaries and allowances will commence immediately, and every certified guard will proceed directly to assigned duty posts,” he said.
The training programme was described as rigorous and professionally structured, combining environmental conservation principles with advanced security competencies.
Trainees underwent intensive physical and mental conditioning, including endurance drills, obstacle navigation and long-range patrol simulations designed to prepare them for sustained forest operations.
They also received training in tactical fieldcraft, ambush response, rescue missions and coordinated offensive actions aimed at denying criminal groups freedom of movement in forest zones.
Strong emphasis was placed on ethics, professionalism, human rights, International Humanitarian Law and civilian protection, while arms handling followed strictly regulated use-of-force protocols under an agreed Arms Management Manual.
The programme recorded a 98.2 per cent completion rate, with 81 trainees disqualified on disciplinary grounds. Two trainees reportedly died due to pre-existing medical conditions.
All successful participants were certified and cleared for operational deployment.
The Forest Guards are indigenous to their respective local government areas, a factor expected to enhance terrain familiarity, intelligence gathering and community trust.
The initiative is an inter-agency national security programme established under the strategic guidance of ONSA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, and operationally coordinated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Park Service.
It also draws doctrine and operational input from the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure unity of command and operational effectiveness.
Governors and deputy governors from the seven participating states attended the ceremonies, including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, while other states were represented by their deputies.
Ribadu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the initiative nationwide.
“By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory. And by securing our territory, we are protecting our people,” he said.
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