FG Deploys 7,000 Forest Guards in Pilot States

The Federal Government has begun the deployment of 7,000 Forest Guards across seven pilot States as part of a renewed strategy to curb insecurity and reclaim forested areas increasingly used by criminal groups.

The initiative, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), follows the successful completion of a three-month intensive training programme by the recruits.

The guards were trained in surveillance, tactical patrols, intelligence gathering, environmental protection, and human rights compliance.

The pilot States benefiting from the first phase of deployment include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara.

Officials say the Forest Guards will operate in hard-to-reach forest corridors, supporting existing Security Agencies in combating banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and illegal activities.

According to the Federal Government, the programme is designed to deny criminal elements safe havens while strengthening community-based security through the recruitment of personnel familiar with local terrain and languages.

Global Mirror News gathered that the Forest Guards initiative is a multi-agency effort involving the Ministry of Environment, Defence Headquarters, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, National Park Service, and other security stakeholders.

Authorities say the current deployment is a pilot phase, with plans to expand the programme Nationwide after assessment, as part of broader efforts to restore peace, improve environmental governance and enhance rural security across Nigeria.