President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate training and arming of more forest guards as Nigeria battles rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and terror attacks across several states.
The directive, which underscores the administration’s growing concern over the escalating insecurity, was revealed on Wednesday by presidential aide Sunday Dare in a post on his X handle, @SundayDareSD.
According to Dare, the President emphasized that the worsening security situation demands swift, practical action—especially in forests and rural communities where many criminal groups operate.
Quoting President Tinubu, Dare wrote:
“We face challenges here and there of kidnapping and terrorism. We need all the forces we can utilize. We need to protect our people…”
The President’s move comes amid a surge in violent abductions, highway attacks, and coordinated assaults on communities—an alarming trend that has put pressure on federal and state security operations.
By ordering the reinforcement of forest guards, Tinubu aims to strengthen frontline security teams who operate deep inside vulnerable areas where bandits and terrorists often launch attacks or hold kidnapped victims.
Security analysts say the decision to urgently upskill, equip, and deploy forest guards reflects a shift toward community-driven security and intelligence-led operations.
As Nigerians continue to demand improved protection, the new directive signals what may become one of the administration’s most decisive steps yet in confronting the country’s growing insecurity.