Video: FG graduates over 7,000 forest guards to reclaim forests from terrorists

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Government of Nigeria has graduated over 7,000 newly recruited Forest Guards from seven frontline states following a rigorous three-month training program under President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, launched in May 2025.

Video: FG graduates over 7,000 forest guards to reclaim forests from terroristsp

The initiative, announced via a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, targets criminal exploitation of forests by terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.

Graduation ceremonies occurred today across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi States, with governors and deputy governors in attendance, including Kwara’s AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Yobe’s Mai Mala Buni.

The intensive training transformed recruits—indigenous to their local areas—into agile operatives skilled in physical endurance, tactical fieldcraft like ambush response and rescue operations, and environmental conservation. It emphasized ethics, human rights, International Humanitarian Law, and strict arms-handling protocols.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu hailed the guards as “first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture,” adding, “They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements.”

Ribadu confirmed immediate deployment, stating, “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.”

The program achieved a 98.2% completion rate, disqualifying 81 trainees for disciplinary issues and noting two deaths from pre-existing conditions.

Coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with input from the military, police, DSS, NSCDC, and others, it leverages local knowledge for intelligence and trust-building.

Ribadu reaffirmed the government’s resolve, “By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory. And by securing our territory, we are protecting our people. The Federal Government will not relent. This initiative will expand nationwide.”