Kwara Forest Guards Decry Unpaid Salaries and Poor Equipment Amid Rising Attacks, Report 20 Deaths in 2026
Forest guards operating in Kwara State have raised alarm over worsening working conditions, including unpaid salaries, inadequate weapons, and poor logistical support, as they continue to face sustained attacks from armed groups operating within the state’s forest corridors.
The complaints come amid an escalation of insecurity across rural and border communities in Kwara, particularly in areas of Kaiama Local Government Area and adjoining forest belts that stretch toward neighbouring states. These zones have increasingly become hotspots for violent encounters involving armed groups and security operatives deployed to contain them.
According to accounts from operatives and local security sources, at least 20 forest guards have been killed in separate incidents so far in 2026 during clashes and ambushes linked to armed groups described by authorities as bandits. The killings reportedly occurred during patrols, defensive operations, and surprise attacks on forest posts and rural surveillance positions.
The forest guards, who were recruited to complement conventional security agencies in monitoring remote terrain and responding to early signs of criminal activity, say they are operating under extremely difficult conditions. Many of them claim they have not received salaries for extended periods, while others say allowances meant for field operations are either delayed or irregular.
Beyond financial concerns, the guards also complain of inadequate weaponry and lack of protective equipment. Some operatives describe being deployed to high-risk zones with limited firearms and insufficient ammunition, leaving them at a disadvantage during engagements with heavily armed attackers. There are also concerns about poor communication tools and lack of transport support for rapid response operations.
Several guards say the absence of basic welfare support has significantly affected morale, with some personnel reportedly struggling to sustain themselves while stationed in remote forest locations where access to food and supplies is inconsistent. Others claim that injured colleagues have not received adequate medical assistance following attacks.
The insecurity in Kwara’s forest regions has intensified over the past year, with armed groups exploiting difficult terrain and dense vegetation to launch attacks and evade security forces. These groups are also believed to use cross-border routes linking multiple states, making tracking and interception more difficult.
Local communities within affected areas have repeatedly reported incidents of killings, kidnappings, and displacement linked to these armed groups. In some villages, residents have abandoned their homes due to repeated attacks, while others have been forced to pay levies or ransoms to avoid violence.
The forest guards were initially introduced as part of a state-backed initiative to strengthen rural security and improve surveillance in areas inaccessible to conventional forces. The idea was to deploy locally recruited personnel familiar with terrain and community dynamics to support intelligence gathering and rapid intervention.
However, the current situation has raised concerns about the sustainability of the programme. Security analysts note that while auxiliary forces can play a critical role in rural security, their effectiveness depends heavily on consistent funding, proper training, and adequate equipment. Without these, such units risk becoming overwhelmed in direct confrontations.
The reported deaths of 20 forest guards in 2026 have intensified calls for urgent government intervention. Stakeholders in the affected communities are urging authorities to improve funding, ensure regular salary payments, and provide modern equipment to enhance operational safety.
There are also growing concerns that continued neglect could lead to declining morale or mass withdrawal from service, which would further weaken security coverage in already vulnerable rural areas. Some observers warn that this could create additional space for armed groups to expand their activities.
Community leaders in Kwara have repeatedly appealed for stronger support from both state and federal authorities. They argue that the scale of violence in forested regions requires a more coordinated and well-resourced security response, including improved intelligence sharing and sustained military presence in identified hotspots.
Security agencies have previously launched operations aimed at clearing forest hideouts used by armed groups, but the vast and difficult terrain has made sustained control challenging. Attacks often shift from one location to another, with groups adapting quickly to security deployments.
At present, there has been no detailed official response addressing the specific allegations raised by the forest guards regarding unpaid salaries and equipment shortages. However, authorities have continued to emphasize ongoing efforts to stabilize rural areas and strengthen inter-agency coordination.
The situation highlights broader challenges facing Nigeria’s rural security architecture, particularly in regions where state-backed auxiliary forces are increasingly deployed to supplement overstretched conventional security agencies. While such arrangements have improved local surveillance in some cases, they have also exposed gaps in funding, welfare, and operational capacity.
For now, forest guards in Kwara remain on the frontline of an increasingly dangerous environment, continuing their duties under difficult conditions while calling for urgent reforms to improve their safety and effectiveness in confronting armed groups operating across the state’s forest belts.
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