In a decisive escalation of Nigeria’s security response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday directed the country’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to immediately begin the training, arming, and nationwide deployment of forest guards to tackle the wave of kidnapping, banditry and terror attacks ravaging the nation.
The presidential order — disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare — underscores the federal government’s view that existing security architecture has failed to stem “rampant” criminal activities, especially in remote forest reserves long exploited as hideouts by armed gangs.
> “We face challenges here and there of kidnapping and terrorism. We need all the forces we can utilise. We need to protect our people,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The newly ordered force draws on the existing system of forest rangers: under the revived programme, the forest-guard corps will be expanded, trained, equipped and deployed in coordination with state governments and intelligence agencies.
Officials anticipates that forest guards will bring unique advantages: because they are often drawn from local communities, they have intimate knowledge of terrain and local dynamics — a quality seen as vital in detecting and denying criminals sanctuary in dense forests.
The government says the plan will cover Nigeria’s 1,129 forest and game reserves, many of which have become de facto hideouts for terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits.
Supporters argue that empowering forest guards is long overdue. A Northern-based think tank hailed the decision as proof that Tinubu is “in full charge” and determined to confront the rural insecurity that many previous administrations failed to address.
But not everyone is convinced. Some security experts caution against unrealistic expectations, arguing that forest guards — traditionally tasked with environmental protection and anti-poaching lack the training, equipment and tactical readiness required to face well-armed bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers.
They warn that without proper infrastructure — including intelligence capabilities, modern weapons, and coordination with formal security agencies — the initiative risks being “window-dressing” rather than a game-changer.
The decision comes at a time of acute insecurity across many states from mass abductions and daylight kidnappings, to terror attacks and communal violence. Critics say the vacuum in forested “no-go zones” has long allowed criminal networks to flourish.
By expanding forest-guard deployment, the government aims not only to provide security in remote areas, but also to reassure rural communities who have borne the brunt of abductions and bandit attacks.
Yet for the plan to succeed, success will hinge on rigorous training, sustainable funding, inter-agency coordination, and a commitment to intelligence-driven operations, not just showy declarations.
As one security practitioner told a national newspaper: “Forest-Guard deployment must come with modern weapons, proper motivation and synergy with other agencies.”
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