Tinubu’s armed forest guards: Nigeria’s last hope or disaster?

DDM News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation and deployment of armed forest guards across Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves.

This move is part of a renewed national effort to reclaim forested areas from the grip of terrorists, bandits, and criminal gangs.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the initiative was announced through a statement released by presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare.

The statement confirmed that recruitment and deployment into the forest guard corps will begin without delay.

Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to be employed under the new arrangement, creating jobs while enhancing national security.

The guards will receive thorough training and be armed to enable them to confront and neutralize threats hiding within the forests.

They will be responsible for flushing out criminal elements who have turned Nigeria’s forests into bases for violent activities.

The plan is being coordinated as a joint security operation involving both federal and state governments.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment have been assigned to oversee the program’s full implementation.

This marks a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to internal security, especially concerning forested regions.

Nigeria’s forests have long been exploited by armed groups who use the vast, unmonitored spaces as operational hideouts.

Many deadly attacks, kidnappings, and insurgent operations have originated from these forests, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country.

States like Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger have suffered devastating consequences due to the absence of forest protection systems.

Even southern states have reported criminal activities such as illegal logging, human trafficking, and drug cultivation occurring deep within forest reserves.

Experts have consistently warned that without adequate forest surveillance and protection, Nigeria’s security challenges will persist.

The Tinubu administration appears determined to reverse this trend by militarizing forest security for the first time in decades.

President Tinubu earlier declared that no inch of Nigerian territory would be ceded to criminal groups under his leadership.

He emphasized that his government would “take back the forests” from those who have turned them into safe havens for lawlessness.

Security analysts see this as a long-overdue but essential step to curb the growing wave of rural insecurity.

They argue that securing forest regions will disrupt criminal networks and improve safety in both rural and urban communities.

Critics, however, caution that the success of the program will depend heavily on transparency, proper funding, and collaboration with existing security forces.

Some stress the need for accountability in the recruitment process to ensure only qualified and disciplined individuals are employed.

There are concerns that without careful oversight, the forest guards could be compromised or abused for political or ethnic agendas.

Nevertheless, the initiative is being welcomed by citizens and civil society groups who have long demanded proactive solutions to forest-related crimes.

It also aligns with broader security reforms under the Tinubu administration, which include the modernization of policing and intelligence gathering.

The federal government’s strategy now includes building a robust internal security system that responds swiftly to emerging threats.

With the deployment of armed forest guards imminent, Nigerians are hopeful that this bold initiative will bring lasting peace and security.

The program also serves as an opportunity to engage unemployed youths in meaningful national service and security operations.

As the project rolls out, its effectiveness will be closely monitored by stakeholders across the country.

The coming months will reveal whether the forest guard system can restore control over Nigeria’s vast and vulnerable forest regions.

If successful, it could become a model for addressing rural insecurity in other African countries facing similar challenges.

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