The federal government has graduated more than 7,000 newly recruited forest guards for immediate deployment across seven frontline states, as part of efforts to deny terrorists, bandits and kidnappers safe haven in Nigeria’s forests.
The guards completed a three-month intensive training programme under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, launched in May 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The programme is coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with federal and state security institutions.
Graduation ceremonies were held on Friday in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states.
Speaking at the ceremonies through representatives, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, explained that the initiative was a major step towards restoring state authority in forested and hard-to-reach areas that have been exploited by criminal groups.
“These forest guards are not just uniformed personnel. They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture,” Ribadu stated. “They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements.”
Ribadu confirmed that deployment would begin immediately after graduation, with no gap between training and operational duty. He added that salaries and allowances would commence at once for all certified guards.
The training programme combined environmental protection with advanced security skills. Participants underwent physical and mental conditioning, tactical fieldcraft, patrol simulations, rescue operations and coordinated response drills. The curriculum also emphasised human rights, International Humanitarian Law, gender rights and civilian protection, alongside regulated arms handling and use-of-force protocols.
According to ONSA, the programme recorded a 98.2 per cent completion rate. Eighty-one trainees were disqualified on disciplinary grounds, while two others died due to pre-existing medical conditions.
