President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of armed forest guards as part of a renewed national strategy to secure, reclaim Nigeria’s forests and flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding in the forests.
The decision is aimed at strengthening environmental protection, combat deforestation, and address growing concerns over the use of forests as hideouts by bandits, insurgents, and other non-state actors.
The armed guards will be specially trained, equipped, and deployed across strategic forest zones in collaboration with security agencies.
This information was conveyed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, through his verified X account, @SundayDareSD.
According to Dare, the initiative is aimed at flushing out terrorists and criminal gangs who have used Nigeria’s 1,129 forests as safe havens.
The presidential spokesperson stated that the recruitment drive will be carried out through a coordinated effort between the federal and state governments, with oversight provided by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Ministry of Environment.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing every inch of Nigerian territory, declaring that no part of the country would be abandoned to lawlessness.
“To secure the country’s forests, President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of forest guards to secure Nigeria’s 1,129 forests.
“The president directed that the forest guards be well-trained and armed to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding in the forests.
“The recruitment is a joint effort between the federal and state governments.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Environment will oversee full implementation.
“Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to be employed for the initiative.
“President Tinubu reiterated that his administration will not surrender any part of Nigeria’s territory to criminals, vowing to take back the forests”, Dare said.
This latest security initiative is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader strategy to address the root causes of insecurity while providing employment opportunities for the country’s youth.
Again, Boko Haram Overruns Three LGAs In Borno
Meanwhile, Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has confirmed that three local government areas in the state have been taken over by Boko Haram insurgents.
Governor Zulum, who disclosed this on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in an Hausa interview, said the affected areas are Marte, Ngala and Rann.
In 2014, the insurgents seized multiple local government areas in Borno and neighbouring states in the North Eastern part of the country.
According to Zulum, “In Marte, Ngala, and Rann, really we have a problem there, by the grace of God we are speaking with the military, we want to appeal to the people to be patient and be patient with us.
“The state and the Federal Government will come up with strategies to face the challenge. We know that the thing is not palatable”.