02/08/2026
THE NATION'S EYES NEWSPAPER:
FG Expands Forest Guards Initiative to 10 States to Tackle Kidnapping, Banditry
By Noel Chiagorom
ABUJA — In a renewed effort to strengthen national security and curb violent crimes, the Federal Government has expanded the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative to 10 states across the federation.
The latest phase of the initiative includes Kaduna, Edo, and Kogi States, where over 2,000 newly recruited forest guards have successfully completed intensive training. This raises the total number of trained personnel under the programme to more than 9,000 nationwide.
The expansion is part of the Federal Government's ongoing strategy to reclaim Nigeria's forests from criminal elements and combat the rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes.
According to government officials, the trained forest guards will work in collaboration with conventional security agencies to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid response operations in forested areas that have become safe havens for armed criminals.
The initiative is expected to enhance the protection of rural communities, improve public safety, and reinforce the government's commitment to restoring peace and security across the country.
Editor's Note
The expansion of the Forest Guards Initiative signals a more proactive approach to addressing insecurity in Nigeria's forests. Its long-term success, however, will depend on sustained funding, effective coordination with existing security agencies, and strict accountability in its implementation.
✒️ By Noel Chiagorom
Editor-in-Chief, THE NATION'S EYES NEWSPAPER
Seeing Beyond the Headlines, Telling the Truth Others Won't.