The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has officially commissioned over 7,000 newly recruited Forest Guards from seven frontline states. This significant deployment aims to bolster security efforts and safeguard Nigeria's vast forest reserves from criminal elements. The initiative follows the successful completion of a rigorous three-month intensive training program, a cornerstone of the Presidential Forests Guards Initiative launched by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025.
Strengthening Nigeria's Internal Security Architecture
This strategic move is designed to fortify internal security by denying terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups safe haven within remote and forested terrains. Graduation ceremonies were held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi States, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's fight against insecurity. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu emphasized the initiative as a decisive step towards re-establishing state authority and protecting vulnerable communities.
Comprehensive Training and Immediate Deployment
Ribadu highlighted that these Forest Guards are more than just uniformed personnel; they are vital first responders, community protectors, and a critical component of Nigeria’s security architecture. Their mandate includes holding ground, gathering intelligence, and supporting other security agencies in reclaiming territories previously controlled by criminal elements. The training curriculum was comprehensive, merging environmental conservation principles with advanced security competencies. Recruits underwent demanding physical and mental conditioning, encompassing endurance exercises, obstacle-crossing, long-range patrol simulations, and tactical fieldcraft. They were also rigorously trained in ambush response, rescue operations, and coordinated offensive actions to neutralize threats within forest areas. The NSA confirmed that deployment would commence immediately, ensuring that all certified guards proceed directly to their duty posts with salaries and allowances activated without delay.
Inter-Agency Collaboration for a Safer Nigeria
The program achieved an impressive 98.2 percent completion rate, with only 81 trainees disqualified on disciplinary grounds and two unfortunate deaths due to pre-existing medical conditions. Successful participants are expected to leverage their intimate knowledge of the terrain and foster community trust to effectively combat crime watch, kidnapping, and illegal forest exploitation. The Nigerian Forest Guard initiative is a collaborative effort coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Park Service, benefiting from operational input from the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Navy, Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Ribadu reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment, stating, "By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory. And by securing our territory, we are protecting our people. The Federal Government will not relent. This initiative will expand nationwide as part of our sustained effort to build a safer and more secure Nigeria." Governors and Deputy Governors from the seven participating states attended the ceremonies, underscoring the collective commitment to this vital politics and security endeavor.