In a bold but controversial move to regain control over national parks and forest reserves, the Nigerian Ministry of Environment has obtained presidential approval for the creation of a new paramilitary “forest guard” force, to reclaim Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves – many of which are now strongholds for bandits, jihadists, kidnappers, and illegal miners. Aso Rock sources told Huhuonline.com that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) will supervise recruitment and training in coordination with state governments. Each state is being tasked to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 forest guards, totaling around 130,000 personnel nationwide. They will be heavily armed and charged with tackling criminal elements including bandits, kidnappers, and terrorist groups operating within dense forest reserves such as the Sambisa and Katsina forests. However, the announcement has ignited deep apprehension among security experts, local communities, and civil society groups, who are sounding the alarm that the deployment of ill-prepared personnel against well-armed criminal and terrorist groups risks escalating violence and further destabilizing affected regions.
The creation of the paramilitary forest guard marks a critical juncture in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insecurity. The initiative follows recent directives from Mines Minister Dele Alake, who deployed NSCDC-led Mines Marshals to secure mining sites in heavy banditry zones, emphasizing a need for specialized security responses in strategic sectors. Alake called on the Nigerian Army and Police Force to bolster security around mining areas, many located in the restive northwest region of the country. Major reserves like Sambisa, (North-East) and Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, and others in the North-West and North-Central, have reportedly become den bases for terrorist, bandit, and abductors
But local voices have raised alarm over the new paramilitary force and questioned the logic behind the strategy. Chief Musa Ibrahim, a respected community elder from Zamfara State, expressed grave concerns over the deployment of undertrained forest guards to combat heavily armed insurgents and criminal gangs. He told Huhuonline.com that: “These forest guards are traditionally conservation officers, not soldiers. They lack the rigorous military and tactical training required for counterterrorism operations. Our young men are precious. Sending them into dangerous territories without adequate preparation is sending them to their deaths. We implore President Tinubu to rethink this strategy before more families lose their sons.”
Similarly, a bigwig of the ruling APC from Katsina, who elected anonymity, ostensibly not to antagonize President Tinubu, recounted his fear of ongoing kidnappings fueled by well-armed gangs: “Bandits now demand ransom in foreign currencies and cryptocurrencies – this is not a simple crime wave but an organized crime network with resources beyond ordinary security personnel. Without proper training and intelligence, how can these forest guards succeed?”
Security analyst Chidi Omeje warns that the plan may worsen the already fragile security situation.
“Forest guards have traditionally been charged with environmental protection and anti-poaching efforts, not confronting violent jihadists and bandits who are battle-hardened and well-equipped. Deploying them as a paramilitary force without comprehensive training, adequate weapons, and intelligence support risks creating a force overwhelmed and outmatched by criminals.” Past incidents, such as rangers being killed by illegal loggers in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, underscore how under protected guards can quickly become targets.
Omeje further cautioned against the politicization of recruitment and command structures, a persistent issue that has hampered existing security units. Co-supervision by both ONSA and the Ministry of Environment could create operational fragmentation, unclear command hierarchies, and oversight gaps—exactly the issues retired General Peter Aro warned about “In Nigeria, security forces often face internal factionalism and corruption that can undermine operations. The creation of a new force must avoid replicating these pitfalls.”
Besides, States raising forest guards may select recruits along ethnic or political lines, potentially fostering patronage, infiltration, or collusion with local criminal politicians linked to kidnapping gangs.
Instead of strengthening the military, police tactical units, or NSCDC, funds and political support are being diverted to forest guard groups without established capacity to execute full-scale security operations. The kidnapping-for-ransom epidemic in northwest Nigeria is growing more sophisticated. Criminal gangs, some with links to jihadist groups and complicit local politicians, now demand payments in foreign currency and cryptocurrencies. This shift complicates enforcement efforts, making traditional security tactics less effective. The new forest guard force, while well-armed, may lack the technical capabilities and intelligence networks to disrupt these financially savvy criminal enterprises.
Despite growing calls from various quarters, including community leaders, security experts, and human rights organizations, President Tinubu has remained steadfast in backing the creation of the paramilitary forest guard. Sources within the presidency indicate that Tinubu views the move as a necessary response to mounting insecurity and is unwilling to reconsider, emphasizing a tough stance on security.
A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted: “President Tinubu believes in decisive action. He sees this force as a way to fill security gaps where the military and police have limited presence. While concerns have been raised, the administration is confident this initiative will strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.”
Alternative Views on Security Strategy
Critics argue that Nigeria should instead focus on strengthening existing specialized security agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), police tactical units, and military counterterrorism task forces. Investing in intelligence gathering, community policing, and improving coordination between agencies may yield better results than creating an entirely new force with questionable capacity. A former national security adviser commented: “Creating more forces without addressing root causes of insecurity and without proper training is putting the cart before the horse. This approach may lead to unnecessary casualties and fail to curb the criminal enterprises that threaten the nation’s stability.”
As the Nigerian government pushes ahead, frontline communities brace for the potential consequences. Families fear their sons and daughters may be caught in a deadly security experiment, while criminal gangs exploit gaps in enforcement. Civil society groups have called on President Tinubu to engage more extensively with stakeholders and experts before full deployment. They urge a strategy that combines professional training, intelligence-led operations, community engagement, and economic development as sustainable solutions. President Tinubu’s intransigence in reconsidering the plan, despite widespread concerns, underscores the complex balance between political will and practical security realities. The lives of thousands hang in the balance – a test not just of Nigeria’s security strategy, but of its leadership’s wisdom and commitment to protecting its citizens.
