President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned the establishment of a national forest guard system and the recruitment of over 130,000 armed operatives to secure Nigeria's 1,129 forest reserves.
This was approved during an expanded Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday.
The new initiative mandates each state to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 forest guards. The recruitment and training processes will be overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Environment.
Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, announced the development on Wednesday through a statement titled "Forest Guards Established by Federal Government." The statement emphasized the necessity for these guards to be well-trained and armed, focusing on eliminating terrorists and criminal gangs exploiting the forests as hideouts.
"This recruitment is a security collaborative effort between the federal and state governments," the statement noted, highlighting the cooperative framework aimed at addressing the security challenges. Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to gain employment through this initiative.
President Tinubu, during a recent visit to Katsina State, reaffirmed his administration's commitment to reclaiming the nation's forests from terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements. He vowed that no part of Nigeria would be surrendered to such threats.
Nigeria's vast network of forest reserves, encompassing over 1,129 areas, is among the largest in Africa. These reserves face numerous challenges, including illegal logging, encroachment for agriculture, infrastructure development, and security threats, as some have become refuges for criminal activities. The establishment of a national forest guard is seen as a crucial step in enhancing security and preserving these vital ecological areas.
