The Federal Government has concluded the training and graduation of more than 7,000 newly recruited forest guards from seven frontline states, marking the operational takeoff of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative.
The graduation ceremonies took place on December 27, 2025, across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states, following the completion of a three-month training programme.
The initiative, which was launched in May 2025 by President Bola Tinubu, is designed to strengthen internal security by restricting terrorists, bandits and kidnappers from operating within forest corridors. Each participating state was directed to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 personnel.
Although the programme experienced a seven-month delay, the graduation of the recruits signals the commencement of forest guard operations nationwide.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Office of the National Security Adviser explained that the training covered physical conditioning, patrol duties and tactical movement, as well as instruction on ethics, legality and human rights. It added that arms handling and use-of-force procedures were carried out in accordance with an approved Arms Management Manual.
The statement disclosed that 98.2 per cent of the trainees successfully completed the programme, while 81 recruits were dismissed for disciplinary reasons. It further noted that two trainees died due to pre-existing medical conditions.
“The training programme recorded a 98.2 per cent completion rate. A total of 81 trainees were disqualified on disciplinary grounds, while two trainees passed away due to pre-existing medical conditions. All successful participants have been fully certified and cleared for operational service.
“The graduating Forest Guards are indigenous to their respective local government areas, enabling them to leverage terrain familiarity and community trust in countering banditry, kidnapping, and the illegal exploitation of forest resources,” the statement partly read.
Speaking on the deployment plan, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, said the guards would be posted to their duty locations immediately after graduation.
According to him, the new personnel are expected to work alongside existing security agencies, gather intelligence and safeguard communities prone to attacks.
“These Forest Guards are not just uniformed personnel. They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture. They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements.
“There will be no delay between graduation and deployment. Salaries and allowances will commence immediately, and every certified guard will proceed directly to assigned duty posts.
“By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory. And by securing our territory, we are protecting our people. The Federal Government will not relent. This initiative will expand nationwide as part of our sustained effort to build a safer and more secure Nigeria,” he stated.
The programme is being implemented through collaboration involving the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Department of State Services, the National Park Service, as well as the armed forces, police and civil defence corps.
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