Quick Summary:
The Federal Government graduates and deploys over 7,000 Forest Guards to reclaim forests from terrorists and bandits across seven pilot states under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative.
On December 27, 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria officially graduated and deployed over 7,000 newly recruited Forest Guards to strengthen security operations in the nation’s forested and ungoverned regions.
The initiative, part of the Presidential Forest Guards Programme, aims to reclaim forest territories from terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, while restoring state authority and environmental protection across vulnerable zones.
Key Details of the Deployment
Frontline States
The first batch of personnel has been immediately deployed to seven pilot states:
Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi.
Mandate
The Forest Guards are tasked to:
- Reclaim forests from criminal elements.
- Gather actionable human intelligence for security agencies.
- Restore government presence in previously ungoverned spaces.
Training & Armament
The recruits completed a three-month intensive training under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, covering:
- Tactical fieldcraft and ambush response
- Arms handling and discipline
- Environmental surveillance and intelligence gathering
All training was conducted in line with the newly established Arms Management Manual, ensuring compliance with national security standards.
Local Strategy
Each recruit is indigenous to the local government area where they will serve, a deliberate strategy to:
- Leverage local terrain knowledge
- Enhance community trust and cooperation
- Improve intelligence accuracy
Inter-Agency Coordination
The initiative is jointly led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, with operational support from:
- Department of State Services (DSS)
- National Park Service
- Nigerian Armed Forces
Nationwide Expansion Plan
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed that this deployment marks the first phase of a nationwide rollout.
Subsequent phases will expand recruitment and training to cover all 36 states and the FCT, creating a national forest security network to combat rural insecurity and environmental crimes.
