President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered a major new deployment of specially trained forest guards. This move aims to flush out armed groups from Nigeria's vast forests. The declaration is a direct response to a wave of mass kidnappings targeting schools and places of worship.
The president authorized the Department of State Services to deploy all trained forest guards immediately. He also directed the agency to recruit more personnel for this purpose. The goal is to deny criminals safe haven in remote wooded areas.
This new initiative is under the operational command of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu. Officials describe it as a decisive shift in national security strategy. The plan calls for deploying over 130,000 armed forest guards across the country's 1,129 forest reserves.
The emergency declaration follows several high-profile attacks. Gunmen abducted more than 300 students and staff from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger state on November 21. This attack was part of a deadly week across multiple states.
Just days earlier, attackers seized 25 students from a school in Kebbi state. In Kwara state, 38 worshippers were kidnapped from a church. All hostages from the Kebbi and Kwara incidents have since been freed.
On December 8, about 100 children from the Niger state school kidnapping were released. They arrived in the state capital, Minna, escorted by military vehicles. Details of their release were not made public. At least 150 students and 12 staff members from that school remain in captivity.
School kidnappings have plagued Nigeria for years. A tally shows at least 1,799 students have been seized in a dozen major abductions since 2014. Most were later released, often after ransom payments. Paying ransoms is now illegal in Nigeria.
The forest guard program represents a reformed and expanded security approach. Historically, such guards focused on environmental protection. Their new mission is primarily security-oriented.
National Security Adviser Ribadu has driven reforms following the president's directive. The office of the NSA recently graduated 748 Special Guard officers from Taraba State. They underwent advanced tactical training in Osun State.
Their training covered jungle warfare and anti-kidnap response. It also included silent movement tactics and counter-ambush formations. Drone-assisted surveillance and forest navigation were part of the curriculum.
Security analysts say the initiative fills a critical gap. Conventional police forces are not designed for deep-forest operations. The guards are trained specifically for this challenging terrain.
The strategy relies on local knowledge. Many recruits are drawn from communities near the forests. This provides intimate knowledge of the terrain and movement patterns. Officials hope this will build community trust and improve intelligence gathering.
The model mirrors approaches used in other countries. Nations like Brazil, India, and South Africa use specialized forest guards. These units support national security and monitor illegal activities.
The forest guard deployment is one part of a broader security push. President Tinubu also ordered the army and police to recruit more personnel. The police are authorized to recruit an additional 20,000 officers.
The president called for a review of laws to allow state police forces. He said his administration would support states that have set up security outfits. This indicates a move toward more localized security control.
Tinubu addressed the persistent conflict between herders and farmers. He called on herder associations to end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. The president stated that ranching is the path forward for national harmony.
The government also issued warnings to religious institutions and schools. States were urged to rethink boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches were advised to seek police protection for gatherings in vulnerable areas.
President Tinubu expressed sympathy for families who lost loved ones in recent attacks. He paid tribute to soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. The president stated that those who test the government's resolve should not mistake restraint for weakness.
Implementation of the forest guard plan involves federal and state collaboration. Enugu State is among the first to embrace the program. It is finalizing arrangements to train 1,000 new recruits. Officials are encouraging all 36 states to participate.
The initiative introduces a joint operational framework. It features unified training standards and shared intelligence. Deployment mechanisms will be co-funded by federal and state authorities.
Analysts have outlined a detailed blueprint for success. It includes enacting enabling legislation and clear rules of engagement. Community-centered recruitment and rigorous vetting are considered essential. Proper equipment and welfare provisions for guards are also highlighted.
Potential pitfalls have been identified. Underfunding could render the guards ineffective. Jurisdictional conflicts with police or military units might cause confusion. There is also risk of corruption or infiltration by criminal elements.
Security expert Amb. Dr. John Metchie pointed to technology integration. Drones, satellite tracking, and night-operation systems are being introduced. He said these tools will help seal the success of operations.
Metchie, who serves with the Nigerian Forest Security Service, expressed optimism. He said that with sustained momentum, the war against terror could be won in a matter of months. He described the training and equipping happening now as unprecedented.
The release of the 100 children in Niger state offers a moment of relief. Governor Mohammed Bago said health workers would examine the children before reuniting them with parents. Many parents in Papiri only learned of the release from media reports.
President Tinubu commended security agencies for their work in securing the releases. He reaffirmed his directive that all abducted Nigerians must be rescued and brought home safely. The president urged all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant.
The forest guard initiative now moves into a critical implementation phase. Its success may hinge on consistent funding and inter-agency cooperation. Sustained political will at both federal and state levels will also be crucial.
As the program rolls out, its impact on kidnapping rates and forest security will be closely watched. The nation's ability to reclaim its ungoverned spaces faces a significant test. The coming months will determine if this new approach can alter Nigeria's security landscape.