The Federal Government has graduated the first batch of 950 Forest Guards as part of efforts to strengthen surveillance and security operations in Nigeria’s forests and other difficult-to-access areas.
The new corps is expected to support existing security agencies in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities by providing intelligence, conducting patrols and monitoring areas vulnerable to criminal activities.
The Forest Guards will work with the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, National Park Service and other relevant agencies. Their assigned responsibilities include forest surveillance, early warning, intelligence gathering, rescue support and protection of forests and natural resources.
In an editorial, Vanguard said the graduation should mark the beginning of a more demanding phase for the initiative, arguing that the effectiveness of the guards would ultimately depend on their ability to operate in challenging environments where criminal groups hide and organise their activities.
The newspaper also highlighted the need for adequate equipment and operational support, including reliable communication systems, protective gear, medical supplies, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, drones and other technology that could improve surveillance and coordination.
It further stressed the importance of deploying personnel with knowledge of local terrain, languages and communities, while maintaining proper supervision and accountability to guard against infiltration, impersonation and collusion with criminal elements.
The Forest Guards are also expected to contribute to the protection of vulnerable communities and schools and assist security agencies in identifying networks that provide criminals with logistics, information and other forms of support.
The graduation brings the initiative into its operational phase, with the new personnel expected to complement existing security agencies in monitoring forests and other areas considered difficult to access or secure.
