Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has raised a critical question regarding the 7,000 Forest Guards who graduated and were integrated into Nigeria's security framework in December 2025. In a social media post on June 6, Dalung inquired about the whereabouts and effectiveness of these guards, noting that terrorists still exploit forested areas for their illicit activities.
Background of the Forest Guards Initiative
The Federal Government announced the graduation of the Forest Guards on December 27, 2025. According to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), headed by Nuhu Ribadu, the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative was launched by President Tinubu in May 2025. This initiative represents a coordinated Federal-State security intervention designed to reclaim Nigeria's forests from criminal exploitation.
Ribadu emphasized that the Forest Guards are indigenous to their respective local government areas. This localization enables them to leverage their familiarity with the terrain and community trust to combat banditry, kidnapping, and illegal exploitation of forest resources.
Dalung's Concerns
In his post, Dalung questioned why, despite the deployment of these guards, terrorists continue to use forests as bases for their nefarious activities. He called for accountability and transparency regarding the operational status and impact of the Forest Guards.
The former minister's remarks have sparked discussions about the effectiveness of government security initiatives and the persistent challenges of insurgency and banditry in Nigeria.
