Forest guards in Nigeria risk becoming ineffective if not properly integrated into the country's security architecture, warns Abdullahi Bokaji Adamu, Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC). The initiative, launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to deploy over 130,000 forest guards across Nigeria's 1,129 forest reserves to combat banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency ¹ ².
Adamu emphasizes that forest guards can weaken insurgency but can't defeat it alone. Their success depends on factors like training, equipment, supervision, and political protection. Without these, the program may fade away like past initiatives. Key concerns include rushed training, under-equipping, and infiltration by insurgents ¹.
Experts suggest that forest guards should support, not replace, the military and police. They should focus on intelligence gathering, guiding troops, and holding cleared areas. The initiative's effectiveness will vary by region, with potential benefits in states like Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa against insurgency, and Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara against banditry ¹ ³.
Tags
News