130,000-Strong Forest Guard Force to Crush Bandits, Kidnappers Across 1,129 Forests, Says Ribadu

By John Paul
The Federal Government has unveiled a bold new front in the war against insecurity with the launch of the National Forest Guards Initiative, a sweeping operation designed to flush out terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers entrenched in Nigeria’s forests.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, announced the initiative on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of the Federal and States Security Administrators’ Meeting (FSSAM) held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser.

Ribadu said the programme, personally approved by President Bola Tinubu, represents a decisive shift in Nigeria’s internal security strategy — one that targets the remote forests that have long served as hideouts for violent criminals.

“We are taking the fight to where the criminals hide,” Ribadu declared. “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.”

According to the NSA, over 130,000 armed forest guards will be deployed across 1,129 forest and game reserves nationwide, beginning with pilot operations in Adamawa, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, and Yobe States.

He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s broader vision to strengthen internal security, restore public confidence, and create the conditions for lasting peace and economic renewal.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mr. Muhammed Danjuma, described the new force as a “security game-changer” jointly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, in partnership with state governments.

Danjuma explained that the Forest Guards Initiative would reclaim forest spaces from criminal groups, safeguard vital natural resources, and protect vulnerable rural communities that have long suffered from attacks and abductions.

He, however, cautioned that success would depend on sustained political will, adequate resourcing, and strong collaboration between federal and state authorities.

The three-day FSSAM conference brings together security administrators from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to review Nigeria’s evolving security landscape and recommend actionable strategies to combat emerging threats.

With the new deployment, the Federal Government hopes to reclaim Nigeria’s forests — long dominated by bandits and insurgents — and restore safety and stability across rural communities.