No fewer than 7,000 newly recruited forest guards from seven northern states have graduated from a three-month intensive training programme and will be deployed immediately to curb banditry, kidnapping and criminal activities in forest areas.
The guards were trained under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative launched by President Bola Tinubu in May and coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser as part of a joint federal and state security framework.
The initiative is an inter-agency programme led by the NSA, supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment and coordinated operationally by the Department of State Services and the National Park Service, with strategic and operational input from the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Graduation ceremonies for the recruits were held on December 27 across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states.
Speaking at the events, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, described the programme as a significant move towards reclaiming forest territories from criminal elements and restoring security to vulnerable communities.
Ribadu said the newly trained guards would be deployed immediately without any break between graduation and active duty.
“These forest guards are not just uniformed personnel,” he said.
“They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture, and they will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements.
“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.
“By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory, and by securing our territory, we are protecting our people.”
He added that the Federal Government would sustain and expand the initiative nationwide.
Ribadu disclosed that the programme achieved a 98.2 per cent completion rate, with 81 trainees dismissed for disciplinary reasons and two recorded deaths from pre-existing medical conditions.
The guards were recruited from their local government areas to enhance familiarity with the terrain, community trust and intelligence flow.
A statement from the ONSA said the approach was intended to strengthen efforts against banditry, kidnapping and the illegal exploitation of forest resources.
Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State were among those who attended the graduation ceremonies.