States Mobilise Thousands of Forest Guards as Nigeria Intensifies Battle Against Banditry and Kidnappings

States Mobilise Thousands of Forest Guards as Nigeria Intensifies Battle Against Banditry and Kidnappings

June 8, 2026

As insecurity continues to threaten communities across Nigeria, state governments are ramping up efforts to secure forests long exploited by bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups. From Kebbi to Kwara, Kaduna to Anambra, thousands of newly recruited forest guards are being deployed in what is emerging as one of the country’s most ambitious grassroots security initiatives.

The nationwide push follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of 1,000 additional forest guards amid growing concerns over attacks, kidnappings, and criminal activities in rural communities. The initiative is designed to strengthen surveillance in forest reserves and ungoverned spaces that have increasingly become safe havens for armed groups.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security, President Tinubu pledged that Nigeria would not surrender to terrorists, bandits, or criminal elements.

“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry, or any form of criminal intimidation,” the President declared, assuring Nigerians that security agencies are receiving the necessary support to secure communities and ensure the safe return of abducted citizens.

Kebbi State has taken a leading role in the implementation of the initiative, deploying 819 newly trained National Forest Guards after a rigorous nine-week training programme in Kalgo Local Government Area. Deputy Governor Umar Tafida said the operatives would be stationed across strategic forest corridors and vulnerable areas to deny criminals access to forest hideouts often used for planning attacks and evading security forces.

Representing the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Commissioner of Police Umar Hadejia revealed that Kebbi was selected as one of seven pilot states for the initiative. He noted that the newly trained guards would be deployed immediately to vulnerable forest corridors and ungoverned spaces to strengthen security and support existing law enforcement efforts.

In Gombe State, authorities have intensified efforts to strengthen forest security, with approximately 700 recruits currently undergoing specialised training at the Mobile Police Training School in Osun State. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya approved N337 million for the programme, which focuses on surveillance, intelligence gathering, and forest protection. Officials say the programme is aimed at enhancing security while safeguarding the state’s forest reserves from criminal activities.

Kwara State has emerged as one of the most aggressive adopters of the programme, recruiting and deploying approximately 3,300 forest guards under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative. The programme initially began with over 700 operatives serving across Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts. In October 2025, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the recruitment and advanced tactical training of an additional 2,600 personnel. Officials say the expanded force is already working alongside security agencies and local vigilante groups to combat banditry and restore peace in vulnerable communities.

Kaduna State has also embraced the initiative with the training of 1,000 recruits drawn mainly from communities heavily affected by banditry and kidnapping. Governor Uba Sani described the programme as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering and restoring confidence among residents, particularly farmers who have suffered repeated attacks. The six-week training programme is expected to produce operatives capable of monitoring forest corridors, tracking suspicious activities, and supporting conventional security agencies across some of the state’s most troubled local government areas.

Across the country, other states are moving to strengthen forest security structures. Katsina State has recruited 70 forest guards under its Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to protect forest reserves and prevent illegal activities. Kano State has engaged 150 forest guards and deployed them across six operational zones to improve surveillance and security while addressing environmental challenges such as deforestation and desertification.

Ekiti State has integrated forest guards into its security framework, with operatives working alongside the military, police, Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes during forest-clearing operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements. Edo State has completed recruitment processes and commenced training for newly screened candidates following security clearance and medical examinations.

In Imo State, more than 400 forest guards and vigilante operatives have been trained and deployed to high-risk forests, leading to arrests and the disruption of criminal hideouts. Bayelsa and Anambra states have similarly integrated forest guards into broader security and environmental protection strategies, with authorities crediting the initiatives for improving surveillance and reclaiming areas previously dominated by criminal groups.

Despite growing concerns over insecurity, several states, including Zamfara, Rivers, Abia, Lagos, Osun, and Benue, have yet to fully commence recruitment under the federal initiative. Officials in Zamfara State say they are awaiting further directives from the Federal Government before launching recruitment exercises, while Osun disclosed that plans are underway to unveil a specialised security outfit comprising forest guards, hunters, members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, and operatives of the Oodua Peoples Congress to combat criminal activities in forests.

Ondo State has taken a different approach, insisting that its existing Amotekun Corps and forest rangers are sufficient to address security challenges. The state recently approved the recruitment of 500 additional Amotekun personnel, with plans for another 500 recruits.

Security experts have welcomed the initiative but cautioned against deploying forest guards as frontline combat troops. According to retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, Special Adviser on Security to the Sokoto State Governor, forest guards are primarily trained for surveillance, conservation, intelligence gathering, and forest protection rather than complex military operations. He warned that assigning them combat responsibilities without adequate preparation could create operational confusion and place additional pressure on existing security structures.

As preparations continue for the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, President Tinubu reiterated his determination to tackle insecurity and improve citizens’ welfare. Acknowledging the challenges posed by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, economic hardship, and displacement, the President assured Nigerians that his administration remains focused on delivering meaningful results.

“The safety of Nigerians remains a top priority of the Federal Government. Government is sensitive to these pains, shares in these pains, and has heard your cries,” he stated.

Tinubu also urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used for political violence, misinformation, or criminal activities as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum.

With thousands of forest guards already recruited, trained, or undergoing preparation across multiple states, the initiative is fast becoming a key component of Nigeria’s evolving security architecture. Authorities hope that by securing forests and denying criminals safe havens, communities long plagued by kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks will finally experience lasting peace.

Whether the programme delivers the expected results will depend on sustained funding, adequate training, intelligence coordination, and close collaboration between forest guards, security agencies, and local communities. For now, the widespread deployment signals a renewed determination by both federal and state governments to confront insecurity and reclaim vulnerable territories from criminal elements.