President Bola Tinubu has intensified Nigeria’s fight against terrorism with the launch of a nationwide Armed Forest Guard initiative, targeting criminal hideouts across the country’s 1,129 forest zones.
The security strategy, announced Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, involves the recruitment, training, and deployment of a specialized forest security force under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Describing the move as a bold step to reclaim Nigeria’s forestlands from non-state actors, Dare revealed via his verified X handle that the initiative will engage thousands of Nigerian youths, serving the dual purpose of enhancing security and curbing unemployment.
“The President directed that the forest guards be well-trained and armed to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding in the forests,” Dare said. Recruitment, he added, will be a joint effort between federal and state governments.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his resolve to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity, declaring: “No inch of Nigerian territory will be surrendered to criminals.”
Senate Urges Swift Assent to Forest Security Bill
Meanwhile, the Senate has called on President Tinubu to urgently sign the Nigerian Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, recently passed by the National Assembly.
During plenary on Thursday, lawmakers expressed grave concern over worsening insecurity in rural and forested regions, citing the recent abduction of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Kogi State, and deadly attacks in Benue’s Apa Local Government Area.
Senator Abba Moro urged that the Forest Security Bill be harmonized with the newly approved Forest Guard framework, warning that failing to act swiftly could leave rural communities vulnerable.
Northern Youths Demand Political Neutrality
Reacting to the development, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) praised the initiative but urged the government to shield the recruitment process from political interference.
“The success of this program depends on transparency and the inclusion of locals familiar with the terrain,” said NCYP Chairman Isaac Abrak. He emphasized the importance of involving traditional leaders and security agencies in the vetting process to prevent political hijacking or infiltration by questionable characters.
Arewa Think Tank: Tinubu Proves He’s in Charge
The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) described the President’s move as “unprecedented and visionary.” ATT convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu commended Tinubu’s “hands-on leadership” and called on state governors to support the initiative.
“This is a turning point in the fight against terrorism,” Yakubu said. “We finally have a President who listens to the people and acts decisively.”
Bauchi Governor Declares War on Bandits
In a show of solidarity and defiance, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed vowed to personally confront bandits terrorizing rural areas of the state.
During a condolence visit to Duguri in Alkaleri LGA following a deadly bandit attack that claimed over 20 vigilantes’ lives, the governor announced the immediate recruitment of 2,100 state-backed vigilantes.
“I am ready to remove my Babban Riga and fight these bandits in the forest,” he declared, citing his ancestral title, “Kaura of Bauchi.”
Governor Mohammed also pledged financial support to the families of the victims—N5 million for each slain vigilante and N3 million for each civilian casualty—alongside a N10 million donation to the Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria.
Calling for a crackdown on informants assisting bandits, he warned traditional leaders to expose collaborators within their communities.
He concluded by announcing that the Office of the National Security Adviser had committed to boosting federal support for security operations in Bauchi State.
Together, these coordinated efforts mark a significant escalation in Nigeria’s battle against rural insecurity and a pivot toward homegrown, community-based defense mechanisms.
