Commits to Eradicating Criminal Activity and Enhancing Security
President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned the formation and deployment of armed forest guards nationwide, marking a significant initiative aimed at reclaiming Nigeria’s extensive forest areas from criminal factions and bolstering national security.
This initiative, announced on Wednesday evening by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, aims to eliminate terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal groups from Nigeria’s 1,129 forest zones, which have increasingly become notorious for harboring illicit activities.
In a statement shared on his verified social media account @SundayDareSD, Dare noted that the newly established forest guard corps would be professionally trained and fully equipped, with recruitment efforts being a collaborative endeavor between federal and state governments.
The execution of this program will be overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Environment, representing a comprehensive approach to both security and environmental protection.
“The President has mandated that the forest guards receive adequate training and armament to eradicate terrorists and criminal organizations concealed in the forests,” Dare stated. “Recruitment will be a coordinated effort involving both federal and state authorities, with ONSA and the Ministry of Environment managing the complete implementation.”
The initiative is expected to engage thousands of young Nigerians, aligning with the administration’s goal to address unemployment while fostering peace in rural and peri-urban areas of Nigeria.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his unwavering determination to prevent any segment of Nigeria from falling under the influence of non-state actors, asserting that “no inch of Nigerian territory will be surrendered to criminals.”
