FG Graduates Over 7,000 Forest Guards, Orders Immediate Deployment
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that under the presidential forest guards initiative designed to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture by denying terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups sanctuary in forests and hard-to-reach terrains, the Federal Government has graduated over 7,000 forest guards drawn from seven frontline states.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the programme, which was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, and was launched in May 2025 by President Bola Tinubu to reclaim forested areas from criminal elements, held its graduation ceremonies on December 27 across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states.
According to the government, the training included physical and mental conditioning, long-range patrol simulations, obstacle-crossing drills, and tactical fieldcraft.
The curriculum also covered ambush response, rescue operations, coordinated offensive actions, and sustained forest patrols.
The programme placed strong emphasis on ethics, legality, and professionalism, including human rights, international humanitarian law, gender rights, and civilian protection.
Arms handling and use-of-force protocols were regulated under an arms management manual agreed upon by participating agencies.
The forest guards underwent an intensive three-month training programme combining environmental conservation principles with advanced security and field operations.
Speaking at the ceremonies, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu described the initiative as a decisive step towards restoring state authority and protecting vulnerable communities.
He said, “These Forest Guards are not just uniformed personnel. They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture.
“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,” Ribadu said.
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