In a decisive move to bolster national security and reclaim forested areas from terrorists and criminal gangs, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of an Armed Forest Guards unit.
This newly created security outfit will be tasked with protecting Nigeria’s 1,129 forests, many of which have become safe havens for kidnappers, bandits, and insurgents.
The initiative, which reflects a strategic and collaborative approach, will be jointly executed by the federal and state governments. The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment have been mandated to coordinate and oversee its full implementation.
The Forest Guards will undergo specialized training and will be fully armed to carry out their mission of flushing out criminal elements from Nigeria’s forest reserves.
Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to be recruited into the unit, providing an opportunity for gainful employment while contributing to national security.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and territorial integrity, President Tinubu declared that no part of Nigeria’s landmass would be allowed to remain under the control of non-state actors.
“Nigeria will take back its forests,” the President said emphatically, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for insecurity in rural and forested regions.
The establishment of the Armed Forest Guards is expected to strengthen ongoing security operations and restore public confidence in the government's ability to secure all parts of the country.
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