The Federal Government has begun the process of recruiting thousands of forest guards across the country as part of efforts to boost national security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed the move in Abuja during the inauguration of 46 new vehicles for security formations. He explained that the forest guard programme was one of the latest steps taken to protect communities and Nigeria’s natural reserves.
President Bola Tinubu, on May 15, approved the creation of the National Forest Guard system. Each state is expected to take in between 2,000 and 5,000 officers, depending on its capacity. Before the president’s approval, at least 11 states had already set up their forest guard units, but most were poorly equipped and could not function at a national level.
Speaking on the development, Ribadu said the country was witnessing steady progress in the security sector, even if not all changes were immediately visible to the public. “Nigeria is in good hands. We can assure you that we will deliver. We’ve never known what failure is, and this time also, you will see the result of the work we put in, Insha Allah,” he said.
At the same event, NDLEA Chairman, Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), noted the link between drugs and crime, stressing that kidnapping, armed robbery, insurgency, and cult activities are often fueled by substance abuse. According to him, since Tinubu took office, over 40,000 drug offenders have been arrested and 8,600 convicted, with more than 5.5 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs seized nationwide.
The initiative is expected to provide thousands of new jobs while also strengthening security at the community level. With proper training and support, the guards will serve as the first line of protection in areas where criminals have long operated.
How to Apply:
The Federal Government has not yet released the official application method or portal for the forest guard recruitment. Interested Nigerians are advised to remain patient and avoid falling for false information. Keep in touch with GoldeNewsNg for verified updates as soon as the government publishes the application guidelines.
