Federal Government Extends Nationwide Forest Protection Program to Cover 10 Additional States, Provides Training for Staff

The Federal Government has broadened the scope of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, now covering 10 states, with a notable increase in trained personnel to over 9,000, tasked with securing forests and ungoverned spaces frequently exploited by kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal groups.

n

This expansion was disclosed by the Office of the National Security Adviser in a statement released on Friday, highlighting the latest phase of the program, which includes Kaduna, Edo, and Kogi states, and has seen more than 2,000 forest guards complete their training, ready for deployment to identified security hotspots.

n

The initiative is a collaborative effort, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and operationally led by the Department of State Services, with backing from the National Intelligence Agency, Defence Headquarters, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Park Service.

n

The program's implementation is being carried out in partnership with state governments to enhance security in forests, border communities, and other areas that have been vulnerable to criminal activities.

n

A significant milestone in the initiative was the earlier training and graduation of over 7,000 forest guards from Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states, marking a substantial investment in the program.

n

The selection of recruits from communities heavily impacted by kidnapping, banditry, and other security threats was a deliberate choice, leveraging their intimate knowledge of local terrain, including forests, footpaths, rivers, and remote settlements.

n

According to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the initiative's expansion to 10 states, with over 9,000 trained personnel, is expected to bolster surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities, particularly in areas that have been challenging for external security personnel to access.

n

All recruits underwent rigorous screening, background checks, and security vetting to confirm their identities and suitability for security roles, ensuring the integrity of the program.

n

The training curriculum for the forest guards included comprehensive modules on arms handling, navigation, field craft, patrol operations, intelligence gathering, and forest protection, designed to equip them with the necessary skills to operate effectively within a structured security framework.

n

The ultimate goal of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative is to restrict the movement of criminal groups by securing forest corridors that have been used to establish camps, hide abducted victims, and facilitate the crossing of community and state boundaries.

n

The forest guards are also anticipated to play a crucial role in enhancing intelligence sharing between rural communities and conventional security agencies, serving as a vital link between affected communities and security institutions.

n

Their deployment to forests, remote settlements, border communities, and other areas affected by kidnapping, banditry, and related crimes is intended to support surveillance, early warning efforts, and intelligence-led operations, bolstering the overall security posture.

n

The governors of Kaduna, Edo, and Kogi states have expressed their appreciation for the Office of the National Security Adviser's coordination of the program, recognizing its potential to complement existing security arrangements and extend government presence to areas with limited conventional security coverage.

n

These governors have also pledged their support for the welfare, deployment, and operations of the forest guards in their respective states, underscoring their commitment to the initiative's success.

n

The broader objective of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, as outlined by the Office of the National Security Adviser, is to reestablish government presence in vulnerable areas, protect rural communities, and prevent criminal groups from exploiting Nigeria's forests as safe havens.

n

The Presidential Forest Guards Initiative was officially launched by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025, with the aim of strengthening the protection of Nigeria's forests against criminal activities, marking a significant investment in the country's security landscape.

n

In December 2025, the Federal Government marked a major milestone with the graduation of over 7,000 forest guards from seven frontline states, following a three-month intensive training program under the initiative, demonstrating the government's commitment to enhancing security in the region.