The Federal Government has graduated more than 7,000 newly recruited Forest Guards from seven frontline states, with immediate deployment approved to strengthen internal security and reclaim forest areas used by criminal groups.
The guards completed an intensive three-month training programme under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative launched in May 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The programme is coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as a joint Federal–State security intervention.
Graduation ceremonies were held on December 27, 2025, in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states. The initiative is aimed at denying terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements safe haven in forested and hard-to-reach areas across the country.
The training covered physical and mental conditioning, long-range patrol simulations, obstacle-crossing drills and endurance exercises. Trainees were also taught tactical fieldcraft, including movement techniques, ambush response, rescue operations and coordinated offensive actions for forest operations.
In addition to combat readiness, the curriculum placed strong emphasis on ethics and professionalism, with courses on human rights, International Humanitarian Law, gender rights and civilian protection. Arms handling and use-of-force protocols were guided by a jointly agreed Arms Management Manual.
Speaking at the ceremonies, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, described the initiative as a major step toward restoring state authority and protecting vulnerable communities. He said the Forest Guards would serve as first responders and community protectors while supporting existing security agencies.
Ribadu confirmed that deployment would begin immediately, adding that there would be no delay in the payment of salaries and allowances. He said all certified guards would proceed directly to their assigned duty posts.
According to ONSA, the programme recorded a 98.2 per cent completion rate. A total of 81 trainees were disqualified on disciplinary grounds, while two died due to pre-existing medical conditions. All successful participants have been fully certified for operational service.
The Forest Guards are indigenous to their respective local government areas, a factor the government says will enhance terrain knowledge, intelligence gathering and community cooperation in combating banditry, kidnapping and illegal exploitation of forest resources.
The Nigerian Forest Guard is an inter-agency initiative led by ONSA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, with operational coordination by the Department of State Services and the National Park Service. Strategic input is provided by the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Governors and deputy governors from the participating states attended the graduation ceremonies, including the Governors of Kwara and Yobe states, while other states were represented by their deputies.
Ribadu said the initiative would be expanded nationwide as part of the Federal Government’s sustained efforts to improve security across the country.
