The deployment of forest guards has gathered momentum, with Kebbi, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa, Anambra and several other states scaling up operations under the Federal Government-backed initiative, although implementation remains uneven nationwide.

The renewed focus on forest security follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards after recent attacks and abductions linked to suspected bandits in Oyo and Kwara States.

Against the backdrop of the increasing attacks by criminals, President Tinubu on Sunday restated his administration’s commitment to intensify the fight against insecurity and ensure the release of all persons held captive across the country.

In Kebbi State, 819 newly trained National Forest Guards have been deployed following a nine-week intensive training programme held in Kalgo Local Government Area.

Deputy Governor Umar Tafida at the passing-out ceremony said the operatives were being deployed to deny criminal groups access to forest reserves used as hideouts.

He urged traditional rulers and local communities to support the initiative by sharing intelligence.

Representing the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, said Kebbi was among seven pilot states selected for the scheme.

“The newly trained forest guards will be deployed immediately to ungoverned spaces and vulnerable forest corridors to enhance security and support existing law enforcement efforts,” Hadejia said.

Meanwhile, in Gombe State, the government said it had commenced implementation of its forest guard programme, with recruits currently undergoing training at the Mobile Police Training School in Osun State.

The Director-General of Press Affairs at the Government House, Ismaila Misilli, told The PUNCH that about 700 recruits had been screened and selected for specialised training in surveillance, intelligence gathering and forest security operations.

He added that Governor Muhammadu Yahaya had approved N337m for the exercise.

“The state has already activated the process and is actively building the operational capacity of its forest guards as part of broader efforts to enhance security and protect forest reserves across Gombe State,” Misilli said.

Transitioning to Kwara State, the government disclosed that about 3,300 forest guards had been recruited and deployed under the Presidential Forest Guards initiative to strengthen rural security.

The programme began with over 700 operatives deployed across Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts, working alongside security agencies and vigilante groups.

In October 2025, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the recruitment and advanced tactical training of an additional 2,600 operatives.

A statement made available to The PUNCH by the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Akeweje Fafoluyi, said the expansion was aimed at improving security coverage across the state.

“The new recruits will join the 700 forest guards earlier engaged, who are already working alongside security agencies at the frontline to combat banditry and restore peace in affected communities,” he said.

He added that the operatives would undergo advanced military training to improve operational effectiveness.

However, in Benue State, the Director-General of the Bureau for Homeland Security, retired Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan, clarified that the recruitment of forest guards is a federal responsibility.

Speaking in a telephone interview, he said recruits from the state had already commenced training.

“It is the Federal Government that recruits forest guards and not the states. Those recruited in Benue have gone for training,” he said.

The Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security, retired Col. Ahmed Usman, said the operatives should not be deployed for frontline combat operations.

“Forest guards are primarily trained to protect forest resources, prevent illegal logging, combat poaching and support conservation efforts. While they may receive basic security training, they are not structured or equipped to undertake complex combat operations,” he said.

He stressed that high-risk operations should remain the responsibility of the military, police and other specialised agencies.

“Without adequate training and a clear operational framework, involving forest guards in sensitive security operations may create confusion and increase the burden on existing security structures,” he warned.

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s administration announced the recruitment of 70 forest guards under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development as part of measures to curb terrorism and other criminal activities.

The forest guards, recruited on Grade Level 01, were assigned responsibilities including protecting forest reserves, preventing illegal logging, monitoring encroachment on forest lands and supporting conservation efforts in affected local government areas.

The state government announced in January 2026 that the personnel had been deployed to strengthen surveillance and protection of forest reserves and stock routes across the state.

The deployment was said to be part of the government’s broader strategy to deny criminal groups access to forests, often used as hideouts for planning and launching attacks on communities.

Similarly, the Kano State Government has recruited 150 forest guards through the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change.

Confirming the development to The PUNCH, the Director of Public Enlightenment in the ministry, Hajiya Maryam Abdulkadir, said the initiative was designed to address security challenges while promoting environmental protection.

“Yes. The Kano State Government through the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change has recruited 150 forest guards,” she said in a WhatsApp message on Thursday night.

Abdulkadir explained that the officers had already been deployed across six operational zones to secure forest reserves, plantations and shelter belts across the state.

According to her, the zones include Dambatta, Bichi, Gwarzo, Tudun Wada, Wudil and Kano.

She said, “The recruited officers have already been deployed across the six zones to man the state’s forest reserves, plantations and shelter belts.”

The director explained that the Tudun Wada zone covers Tudun Wada, Bebeji, Rano, Kura, Garun Malam and Bunkure Local Government Areas, while the Wudil zone comprises Wudil, Gaya, Albasu, Ajingi, Takai, Sumaila and Garko LGAs.

She added that the Kano zone includes Tarauni, Kano Municipal, Gwale, Kumbotso, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Fagge, Nasarawa and Dala local government areas.

Abdulkadir further disclosed that major forest reserves are located in Bichi, Dawakin Tofa, Bagwai, Tsanyawa, Shanono, Gwarzo, Madobi, Karaye, Kiru, Rimin Gado and Kabo Local Government Areas.

Security concerns had heightened in several parts of Kano State following repeated attacks by bandits on rural communities.

Residents of Shanono, Tsanyawa and Bagwai local government areas, as well as parts of Gwarzo LGA, have in recent months suffered attacks that reportedly resulted in the deaths of several residents and the abduction of women and children.

The attacks, which locals alleged were carried out by armed groups operating from neighbouring Katsina State, have fuelled demands for stronger surveillance of forests and border communities.

Abdulkadir noted that apart from enhancing security, the initiative would also help tackle deforestation, desertification and the growing impact of climate change.

Ekiti State Government stated that the forest guards have been recruited to boost security in the state.

Commissioner for Information Taiwo Olatunbosun said on Thursday that “the state government has recruited forest guards, and all the local governments were involved in the recruitment. We chose the guards from the communities.

“They have been working in collaboration with the military, the police and other security agencies as well as the Amotekun Corps. We have been engaging in bush combing, which the forest guards are actively participating in.”

The commissioner further explained that the state government had done a lot in the area of security to protect the lives and property of residents.

Olatunbosun said, “We have done a lot. We are upscaling and upgrading the security activities here. We have a security council that includes the local government chairmen, and there is a regular security meeting with the traditional rulers.”

The Ondo State Government, on the other hand, said it has no plan to recruit forest guards, saying it already has the Amotekun Corps.

The government said it has already recruited 500 men into the Amotekun corps with plans to recruit 500 more.

“We already have our own Amotekun Corps, which is doing well. The governor has just approved the recruitment of 500 men into the Amotekun Corps, and he is also planning to recruit another 500. So, we don’t need FG’s forest guards.”

Similarly, the Commander of the state Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the Amotekun Rangers created by the corps have been deployed in the forests across the state.

“Our men are in the forest doing the work; we have Amotekun rangers who are in the forest to flush out criminals.”

On a positive note, the forest guards’ recruitment has commenced in Kaduna State with the training of 1,000 men.

The recruits, drawn largely from security-challenged communities, are expected to complement the conventional security agencies by monitoring forests, gathering intelligence and helping to flush out criminal elements hiding in remote areas.

Speaking during the commencement of the six-week training programme at the Police College, Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani said the initiative was aimed at enhancing security, protecting lives and property, and restoring confidence among residents, particularly farmers affected by persistent attacks.