•Forest Guards
Nigeria’s newly established Forest Guards hold promise for combating deforestation, protecting biodiversity, bolstering food security, and securing rural communities plagued by militants.
However, as President Tinubu’s initiative takes shape, stakeholders voice concerns that political interference, inadequate training, and a lack of clear legal frameworks could undermine the effort, turning a well-intentioned plan into yet another failed project, reports Sunday Independent.
Nigeria, a nation blessed with diverse ecosystems ranging from lush rainforests in the south to arid savannas in the north, has long recognised the vital role forests play in its environmental and economic well-being. However, these precious resources face relentless threats from deforestation, illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment by militants, kidnappers, and terrorists.
To combat these challenges and safeguard its natural heritage, Nigeria established the Forest Guards, a dedicated force responsible for the protection and sustainable management of its forest reserves and other protected areas.
While the concept of forest protection has existed in various forms for decades, the formal establishment and strengthening of the Forest Guards as a structured and well-equipped unit stems from a growing awareness of the urgent need to conserve Nigeria’s dwindling forests.
Several key reasons underpin the establishment of this security outfit.
Perhaps the most pressing reason for establishing the Forest Guards is the fight against deforestation. Nigeria has faced alarming rates of forest loss due to unsustainable agricultural practices, urbanisation, and, critically, illegal logging. Uncontrolled timber extraction not only destroys habitats but also deprives local communities of vital resources and undermines the nation’s economic potential.
The Forest Guards act as the first line of defence, patrolling forests to deter illegal logging activities, apprehend perpetrators, and confiscate illegally harvested timber.
Nigeria’s forests are biodiversity hotspots, home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including endangered species like the Cross River Gorilla, the Nigerian Chimpanzee, and various rare bird species. Deforestation and habitat destruction threaten these unique ecosystems, pushing vulnerable species closer to extinction.
The Forest Guards play a crucial role in protecting these vital habitats by monitoring wildlife populations, preventing poaching, and enforcing regulations within protected areas, contributing to the conservation of Nigeria’s rich natural heritage.
Beyond logging, the conversion of forest land for agriculture, settlements, and other purposes poses a significant threat. Unsustainable farming practices, often driven by population growth and economic hardship, contribute to soil erosion and land degradation.
The Forest Guards are responsible for regulating land use within forest reserves and preventing encroachment, ensuring that forests are managed sustainably and that land is not converted illegally.
The goal is not simply to prevent exploitation but also to promote sustainable forest management practices.
The Forest Guards play a vital role in educating local communities about the importance of conservation and sustainable resource utilisation.
They also participate in afforestation and reforestation programs, helping to restore degraded landscapes and enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems.
The Forest Guards are empowered to enforce environmental laws and regulations related to forestry, wildlife, and land use. They work closely with other law enforcement agencies to investigate environmental crimes, apprehend offenders, and ensure that legal consequences are applied. This enforcement role is crucial in deterring illegal activities and promoting compliance with conservation regulations.
Sustainable forest management can contribute significantly to the livelihoods of local communities.
The Forest Guards can play a role in promoting community-based forestry initiatives that empower local people to manage forests sustainably and responsibly benefit from forest resources.
By supporting these initiatives, the Forest Guards can help reduce poverty and promote economic development in rural areas.
Despite their crucial role, the Forest Guards face numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, limited resources, insufficient training, and the sheer scale of the areas they are tasked with protecting.
Corruption and weak governance can also undermine their efforts. Providing adequate funding for equipment, training, and operational expenses is essential. Equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out their duties is also crucial.
Clear and enforceable environmental laws and regulations are needed to deter illegal activities, while collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, local communities, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is vital for effective conservation efforts.
Also important is the involvement of local communities in forest management and conservation efforts, which is essential for long-term sustainability.
In May 2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment and deployment of armed forest guards to secure Nigeria’s 1,129 forests. The move aims to deny terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits the safe havens they have long found in the nation’s forested regions.
The initiative, known as the Forest Guards Initiative, is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, said the program represents “a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to internal security,” one that focuses on reclaiming ungoverned spaces and restoring peace to rural communities.
Ribadu explained that over 130,000 armed forest guards will be deployed across Nigeria’s forests and game reserves, with initial operations beginning in Adamawa, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, and Yobe States.
“We are taking the fight to where the criminals hide. The Forest Guards Initiative is a bold step to secure our forests, restore peace to rural communities, and deny bandits and kidnappers freedom of action.”
However, the policy has generated wide discussion among stakeholders, farmers, security analysts, and community leaders, many of whom see both promise and potential pitfalls in its design and implementation.
Most of the stakeholders, in separate interviews with Saturday Independent, agreed that the forest guards could restore peace and protect the environment — if the program is implemented with integrity, coordination, and legal clarity.
Yet, they also warned that the project could become another well-intentioned idea that fails due to poor planning and political manipulation.
They believe that, if managed effectively, the forest guards could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s rural security and environmental management.
But if recruitment is politicised, oversight is weak, and training is inadequate, the initiative may end up as another fleeting experiment in a country where good ideas often falter at the altar of implementation.
Adewale Adeoye, the Executive Director of Journalist for Democratic Rights (JODER), described the concept as a good idea but cautioned that its scope must go beyond fighting terrorism.
“I hope the initiators have in mind not just the fight against terrorism but also the need to protect Nigeria’s forests from indiscriminate destruction. The Forest Guards do not just need training on security; they need training on the environment, forests, plants, and the protection of plant and animal species.”
Adeoye argued that existing security agencies, such as the police or army, lack any defined mandate for forest conservation.
According to him, “They do not have a specific responsibility for the survival of rare plant and animal species. The responsibility of the Forest Guard should include encouraging people and communities to plant trees and protect sacred streams and tributaries.”
He suggested that the corps should also promote environmental education and help implement climate-change mitigation strategies.
“The Forest Guard of our dream is not just one that chases terrorists but one that embraces climate-conscious mechanisms,” he said.
Adeoye, however, took issue with the programme’s name.
“How do you have ‘forest guards’ in places like Sokoto or Katsina, where there are hardly any forests?” he asked.
“The appropriate name should have been ‘Green Guards,’ which applies to the savanna, tropical zones, and even the desert.”
He also warned that political interference could derail the project.
“The initiative can lead to confusion if those implementing it are driven by personal gains, which is usually the problem with good projects in Nigeria. If they are honest, transparent, and motivated by public interest, there should be no confusion. But it should not be imposed from the top; communities and state governments must be involved.”
Adeoye further urged the National Assembly and the Office of the NSA to clearly define the roles of the forest guards to avoid overlapping with existing security structures.
He added that proper training, respect for human rights, and restrictions on the legitimate use of weapons are critical.
“Forest Guards should be localised. They should be trained on human rights and the legitimate use of weapons to avoid abuse.”
For Shakin Agbayewa, the Deputy Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State chapter, the establishment of the Forest Guards is long overdue and essential for reviving agricultural productivity.
He described the initiative as a panacea for Nigeria’s growing food insecurity.
“If you are a farmer, you will know the significance of forest guards. In those days, farming started as early as 5 a.m., but now, because of the fear of bandits, people can no longer go to the farm. Women, who make up about 80 per cent of our farming population, are particularly vulnerable. The Forest Guards will help farmers return to their farms without fear of being kidnapped, raped, or killed.”
Agbayewa said insecurity in rural communities has directly contributed to the rising cost of food. “We cannot have food security if farmers cannot work freely. A farmer should be able to send his wife or children to the farm without fear.”
He argued that Nigeria’s existing security institutions are overstretched and cannot meet the unique demands of securing forests and farmlands.
“The police, army, and civil defense are all overworked. We need people who understand the terrain; the geography of local government areas— to secure our farms. There’s nothing like overlap. The Forest Guards will complement, not duplicate, the roles of other agencies.”
Agbayewa also highlighted the need for a clear legal framework, strong oversight, and community participation.
According to him, “Let the DSS and State Security Service profile anyone appointed as a forest guard. They should be trained, properly armed, and paid decent salaries. There must be a legal document that binds them, and any violation should attract punishment.”
He expressed concern that the initiative could face elite interference.
“Many of the herders and bandits are backed by influential people who own the cattle. These elites may attempt to compromise the system. That’s why recruitment and training must be transparent.”
Similarly, Wale Ogunade, a lawyer and public affairs commentator, called the forest guards an idea whose time has come.
He noted that criminals often use the forests as launch pads to attack highways and nearby towns.
“Generally, people avoid forests because of fear. If the criminals know that there are people who can apprehend them, they will leave the forests alone.”
Ogunade said that the initiative also holds promise for protecting natural resources.
“Nigeria’s forests hold vast natural and mineral resources — timber, gravel, granite, even fisheries. The Forest Guards can monitor and protect these resources from illegal exploitation.”
He dismissed fears of overlap with existing security agencies.
According to him, “The police operate in towns and villages; the army comes in only during war or insurgency. The civil defense corps protects infrastructure. The Forest Guard is a specialised agency, trained specifically to handle issues within the forest.”
Ogunade warned, however, that the guards must be adequately equipped.
“They will encounter challenges if they lack communication gadgets, vehicles, and firepower. If they go into the forest without these, they will face grave danger.”
Oyewole Okewole, Senior Associate Consultant at FutuX Agri-Consult Limited, said that the establishment of forest guards is well intentioned and is saddled with curbing insecurity issues in the country.
“However, I have a slightly different opinion. I would have preferred they work under an already structured security outfit like the police and army as a special unit with this mandate. The proliferation of these armed security agencies may have a catastrophic effect on society in the long run.
“I believe strengthening the existing ones to accommodate and recruit these personnel, trained and skilled, is most viable. The regulations and legal framework that guide their operations should be coordinated by one of the security outfits.
He noted that establishing a new structure in this regard, operational details, and weaponry seems limited to guaranteeing the establishment of a new outfit.
While many see the initiative as a long-overdue intervention, Goddy Uwazurike, a lawyer and former president of Aka Ikenga, described the policy as “a knee-jerk idea.”
“I do not believe that such a force, by whatever name, is necessary. We have had such a group in this country before. It was created by the colonial masters — they wore blue uniforms and managed forest reserves.”
Uwazurike suggested that instead of creating a new force, the federal government could form a “forestry brigade” within the military, giving soldiers specialised training to handle forest operations.
The establishment of the Forest Guards represents a significant step towards protecting Nigeria’s valuable forest resources. By addressing the challenges they face and strengthening their capacity, Nigeria can ensure that its forests continue to provide vital ecosystem services, support livelihoods, and contribute to a sustainable future for all.
The Forest Guards, the guardians of the green, stand as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage for generations to come.
Prince Oyewumi Oyedele Oyetunde, Editor-in-Chief Farmers Choice Magazine in his view, said that the forest guards in Nigeria are expected to fill critical security gaps in areas beyond the reach of existing agencies.
He said their duties will focus on localized forest security, environmental protection, intelligence gathering, and community engagement to help flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding in forests.
The initiative according to him was designed to complement the police, NSCDC, and the military, and will offer a specialized and community-driven response to the growing threats within Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves. “Forest guards will be recruited from local communities and trained in jungle warfare, tracking, counter-IED operations, and surveillance.
”Supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Environment, the corps will operate under a clear mandate to protect forest reserves, tackle banditry, and collaborate with other security agencies.
He pointed out that adequate funding, welfare, and logistics — including drones, GPS tracking, and hazard pay — are essential for their success.
Oyewumi pointed out that while challenges such as armed attacks, harsh conditions, and jurisdictional conflicts are anticipated, the government should plans to address them through comprehensive training, proper coordination, and legal backing.
“The initiative will be guided by national laws on forest conservation, environmental protection, and security, as well as the proposed National Forest Guard (Establishment) Bill to ensure uniform implementation across states.”
