Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has declared that there is no longer a safe haven for terrorists, kidnappers, or illegal miners in Kwara State following the official passing-out parade of approximately 1,000 newly trained forest guards
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Ilorin yesterday, the governor described the initiative as a “game changer” for the state’s security architecture.
He issued a stern warning to criminal elements, stating they now have only two options: immediately vacate the state or face a “heavy price” for their actions.
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The new forest guards, all recruited from local communities, are part of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative—a joint federal and state effort spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu to repossess Nigeria’s vast forest resources from “bad faith actors.”
AbdulRazaq emphasised that the deployment is an offensive move to restore sanity to the forests and protect the lives of citizens.
“Today opens a new page in our campaign against all forms of terrorism, kidnapping, and opportunist attacks”, the governor said.
“We have had enough! Anyone who thinks or acts otherwise is our enemy who will not be spared.”
The initiative aims to strengthen security through close synergy with local vigilantes, with each local government area expected to receive at least 200 forest guards to reinforce rural protection.
Being indigenous to their communities, the guards will rely on local knowledge and intelligence to identify and flush out criminal hideouts.
In addition to enhancing security, the force will also focus on protecting economic assets by curbing illegal mining activities and tackling cattle rustling.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Assistant Director General of the DSS, Femi Shotayo, confirmed that the deployment of the guards is immediate.
He added that the payment of salaries and allowances for the certified personnel would commence without delay.
The NSA said the guards would serve a dual mandate: protecting the environment by safeguarding biodiversity, watersheds and wildlife, and acting as a force multiplier by supporting conventional security agencies through the gathering of actionable human intelligence and serving as first responders in ungoverned areas.
Ribadu urged the trainees to respect their Rules of Engagement (RoE), emphasising the protection of human rights and civilians.
“The oath of allegiance is not a mere formality; it is a binding pledge of loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.
The Kwara State pilot programme is part of a larger national rollout involving seven states: Adamawa, Borno, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Yobe.
Across these states, over 7,000 guards graduated this weekend after an intensive three-month training program involving instructors from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, and DSS.
The event was attended by the state’s traditional rulers, security commanders, and cabinet members, signaling a unified front against insecurity in the North-Central region.
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