Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved sweeping new measures to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, directing that the nation’s Forest Guards be fully armed, expanded in number, and deployed into forests where kidnapping and banditry continue to pose serious threats.
The President gave the order during the Federal Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, instructing the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately oversee the implementation. Tinubu said Nigeria must make optimum use of every available security asset if the country is to overcome the criminal networks operating across its forest corridors.
According to the President, the persistent activities of kidnappers and bandits demand a more robust presence in the remote areas where these groups establish their camps. He explained that while the military, police, and other security agencies have been working to contain insecurity, the Forest Guards possess the unique training required for deep-forest operations and must now be fully integrated into the frontline response.
Senior government officials confirmed that the Forest Guards had recently undergone specialized tactical training facilitated by the Department of State Services (DSS), preparing them for intelligence gathering, terrain navigation, and targeted disruption of criminal hideouts.
Tinubu’s directive marks one of the most significant policy shifts regarding the use of Forest Guards, positioning them as a crucial component of the national security framework. The move underscores the administration’s resolve to confront violent crime with greater mobility, precision, and adaptability.
The President reassured Nigerians that his government is determined to restore safety across all regions, insisting that the menace of banditry and kidnapping “must be defeated with every legitimate instrument of state power.”
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