BANNER NEWS

Tag: Forest guards

  • FG Deploying Forest Guards in All States to Flush Out Criminals – Ribadu

    FG Deploying Forest Guards in All States to Flush Out Criminals – Ribadu

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Lokoja

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the Federal Government has commenced the deployment of Forest Guards across the 36 states of the federation as part of efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Nigeria’s forests.

    Ribadu disclosed this at the passing-out parade of 530 newly trained Forest Guards held at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State. He was represented by Brig.-Gen. Hillary Mabeoku.

    He said the nationwide recruitment of Forest Guards aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is aimed at restoring security in the nation’s forests to support agriculture, commerce and other economic activities.

    The NSA charged the graduating personnel to serve with integrity and dedication, urging them to ensure that forests across the country no longer serve as safe havens for criminal elements.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo described the graduation as a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s security architecture, stressing that governments must build institutions capable of preventing insecurity rather than merely reacting to it.

    Represented by his deputy, Joel Oyibo, the governor said the state was investing in people and institutions to ensure that forests remain centres of economic opportunity instead of sanctuaries for criminals.

    “This passing-out ceremony is more than the end of a training programme. It is a declaration of our commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that every lawful effort to keep our communities safe receives full government support,” he said.

    Ododo commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the National Forest Guards programme, describing it as a bold step towards strengthening community-based security and expanding peace and stability across the country.

    He also praised the National Security Adviser and heads of the armed forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the National Park Service for their collaboration in the successful implementation of the initiative.

    The governor disclosed that 539 candidates were initially recruited into the Kogi State Forest Guards programme, with 530 successfully completing the training. He noted that the new operatives would support intelligence gathering, protect legitimate economic activities within forest reserves, deny criminals operational bases and work closely with conventional security agencies to maintain law and order.

  • Cross River Stakeholders Advocate Increased Forest Guard Recruitment

    Cross River Stakeholders Advocate Increased Forest Guard Recruitment

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar Stakeholders in Cross River State have renewed calls for the recruitment of more forest guards and rangers to strengthen security across the state’s vast forest reserves and combat growing threats posed by criminal activities and illegal exploitation of natural resources.

    The call comes on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s approval of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and teachers in parts of the state.

    Stakeholders contend that states with extensive forest cover, particularly Cross River, should benefit substantially from the Federal Government’s broader forest security initiative.

    Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, George Oben-Etche, disclosed that the state government is already taking steps to align with the federal programme.

    He noted that approximately 300 forest rangers were recruited when the current administration assumed office and that plans are underway to further expand the workforce.

    According to Oben-Etche, the presidential directive on forest guard recruitment is a nationwide intervention aimed at strengthening security within Nigeria’s forest reserves and should not be misconstrued as a measure designed solely for Oyo State.

    Cross River is home to some of Nigeria’s largest and most important tropical rainforests, including areas that serve as habitats for endangered wildlife and vital ecological resources.

    However, concerns have persisted over illegal logging, unauthorised mining, poaching and the use of remote forest corridors by criminal elements.

    Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in Cross River State, Joseph Omini Ogburuwa, described the Federal Government’s latest move as timely and necessary.

    He urged authorities to integrate community-based forest security organisations into the national framework to enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response operations.

    Ogburuwa said the organisation has about 2,000 members in Cross River State and thousands more across the country, insisting that their local knowledge and familiarity with difficult terrains place them in a strategic position to support conventional security agencies.

    A forest ranger, Efiok Emmanuel, lamented what he described as inadequate manpower for effective forest surveillance in the state. He disclosed that only about 400 rangers are currently available to cover Cross River’s extensive forest areas.

    He recalled that Governor Bassey Otu had in 2024 directed the recruitment of 2,000 additional forest rangers, a proposal that was not implemented.

    Emmanuel also revealed that plans for local government-based recruitment were suspended, stressing that increased manpower would significantly improve forest protection, environmental conservation and security operations across the state.

     

     

  • Insecurity: 1,000 Plateau Youths to Be Recruited as Forest Guards

    Insecurity: 1,000 Plateau Youths to Be Recruited as Forest Guards

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Plateau State is set to recruit 1,000 youths as forest guards in a bid to tackle the state’s longstanding insecurity.

    The approval was given by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, during a reception for Governor Caleb Mutfwang into the All Progressives Congress (APC). The move aims to address security challenges that have plagued the state for over two decades. Research indicates that more than 11,000 people have been killed in Plateau in the last 20 years.

    Insecurity has been most pronounced in rural areas, where clashes between farmers and herders are frequent. Shettima, speaking on Tuesday, described the recruitment as a strategic step to strengthen security in the state.

    He assured that the dividends of democracy under the Tinubu administration would soon reach Plateau, urging residents to support the government’s developmental initiatives.

    “The president has authorized the recruitment of 1,000 youths as forest guards in Plateau. Implementation will begin within the next three weeks,” Shettima said.

    He also highlighted key infrastructure projects, noting that contractors would soon mobilize for the construction of the Akwanga–Jos road, describing it as vital to the people of Plateau.

    Shettima added that Plateau will host the nationwide livestock development project, calling it “just the tip of the iceberg” of the administration’s planned interventions in the state.

    He concluded by promising continued development and investments, emphasizing that more benefits would flow to Plateau under the current government.