𝗡𝗢 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗞𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 — 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗕𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗥𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗤

Kwara State has taken a major step to strengthen its security architecture and deny terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements sanctuary within its forests. In a move described as a “game changer,” Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq oversaw the passing-out of 1,000 forest guards in the state capital, Ilorin, as part of a strategic deployment aimed at safeguarding both forested and vulnerable rural areas from criminal exploitation. Deployment of Forest Guards to Tackle InsecurityNo fewer than 1,000 trained forest guards have now completed rigorous training and are ready for full deployment across Kwara State. The initiative, backed by both state and federal authorities, is designed to complement existing security forces in the fight against terrorists, kidnappers and illegal miners operating in dense forest corridors. At the passing-out ceremony in Ilorin, Governor AbdulRazaq hailed the program as a decisive step in bolstering public safety. He emphasized that the presence of an armed, trained force drawn from local communities will make it difficult for criminal elements to maintain hideouts in Kwara’s forests, warning that such groups now have “the option of leaving the state or paying a heavy price.” The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting what he described as an innovative approach to reclaiming territorial control and strengthening the broader security architecture. Role Within National Security FrameworkThe newly trained forest guards operate as auxiliary forces under key federal agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS). Their mandate extends beyond forest protection to include intelligence gathering, support for ongoing security operations, and reinforcing state presence in areas long exploited by criminals. The concept of forest guards has been part of a wider federal security strategy to reclaim Nigeria’s forests from criminal networks that use them as safe havens. This initiative has seen thousands of recruits undergo intensive training across several pilot states, with Kwara among those at the forefront of deployment. A Strategic Offensive Against CriminalsGovernor AbdulRazaq described the rollout of the forest guards as launching “a new phase” in the campaign against terrorism, kidnappings, and related crimes, adding that both local vigilantes and trained forest guards will work closely with security agencies to restore peace and order. He urged communities to cooperate with the security apparatus, underscoring the importance of unity in countering criminal activities and making Kwara an inhospitable environment for terrorists and kidnappers.