Insecurity in Nigeria: Tinubu Gives Ribadu Fresh Order on Forest Guards
- President Bola Tinubu has directed the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately begin the training of forest guards
- Tinubu asked Ribadu to ensure that the forest guards are armed with the necessary weapons to combat terrorism
- Legit.ng learnt that the development is aimed at flushing out bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements operating from Nigeria’s forests
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu has directed Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), to expedite the training and arming of additional forest guards as part of renewed efforts to confront kidnapping and terrorism across the country.
As reported by Guardian, the directive, issued on Wednesday, December 10, reinforced earlier approvals for the establishment of a national forest security service designed to secure Nigeria’s forest reserves, which have long served as operational bases for bandits and other armed groups.
Source: Facebook
TVC News also noted the development.
Addressing ongoing security concerns, the president said:
“We face challenges here and there of kidnapping and terrorism. We need all the forces we can utilise. We need to protect our people.”
He added:
"We need all the forces that we can utilise...Our NSA should arm our forest guards too. Take it very seriously."
The video can be watched below:
Source: Facebook
Who are Nigeria's forest guards?
Nigeria's forest guards are a federally-backed paramilitary force, spearheaded by President Tinubu, tasked with securing forests against terrorists and bandits. The initiative involves recruiting, training, and arming young Nigerians, working with states under the NSA's oversight to reclaim forests and create jobs.
They function as a vital security layer, supplementing existing forces to combat criminal hideouts and enhance overall internal security.
Tinubu directs boost in security
The presidency stated that the latest decision to prioritise arming additional forest guards is aimed at immediately strengthening security in remote and forested areas, where criminal networks have been expanding their activities. This enhanced deployment, Legit.ng understands, is expected to complement broader national measures already announced to address persistent insecurity, including emergency declarations and increased recruitment across security agencies.
The NSA’s office, working with relevant ministries and agencies, has been tasked with accelerating implementation to ensure the deployment of better-trained and better-equipped personnel in vulnerable communities.
Read more on Nigeria's security challenges:
- Young POS operator hacked with machete in Adamawa; family speaks out on attack, demands answers
- Bandit attacks: Northern governors take action over rising insecurity
Tinubu reinforces VIP police withdrawal
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu doubled down on his directive for the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached as guards to very important personalities (VIPs) across Nigeria.
According to a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Olusegun Dada, special assistant to the president on social media, Tinubu emphasised the need to redeploy personnel to frontline security duties amid escalating national challenges.
Tinubu restated the order originally issued in November, amid reports of lingering non-compliance in some quarters.
Source: Legit.ng
