President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed an executive order establishing a dedicated Forest Guards of Nigeria force, charged with protecting over 1,129 forest reserves and tackling insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements operating in hinterland areas. The announcement was confirmed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, via his X account.
Under the directive, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Ministry of Environment have been assigned responsibility for implementing the initiative. Their first action is to begin recruiting and equipping personnel for the new security outfit. The president has emphasized that the recruits must undergo proper training and be armed to fulfill their mission.
Tinubu has signaled that this is a joint federal–state effort, with thousands of young Nigerians expected to be employed in the new force. In his remarks, he reiterated that the administration will not cede Nigeria’s forests to terrorists or criminal gangs, declaring a resolute determination to reclaim and secure the country’s woodland territories.
