States across Nigeria are scaling up the deployment of forest guards as part of a federal-backed security strategy aimed at tackling rising banditry, kidnappings and the use of forest reserves as criminal hideouts, according to The PUNCH.

The newspaper reports that Kebbi, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa, Anambra and several other states are expanding recruitment and operational deployment, although implementation levels vary nationwide.

The renewed push follows approval by President Bola Tinubu for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards after recent attacks and abductions linked to suspected armed groups in parts of Oyo and Kwara States.

In Kebbi State, 819 newly trained forest guards have already been deployed after a nine-week training exercise. Officials said the operatives are tasked with securing forest corridors and denying criminal groups access to remote hideouts.

Gombe State has begun its own rollout, with about 700 recruits undergoing specialised training in surveillance and intelligence gathering. Kwara State, meanwhile, has reportedly deployed about 3,300 forest guards under the federal initiative, combining new recruits with previously trained operatives.

Kaduna State has also commenced training for 1,000 personnel drawn from high-risk communities, with authorities stating they will work alongside existing security agencies after completion of training.

In Kano State, 150 forest guards have been deployed across six operational zones to monitor reserves and address both insecurity and environmental degradation. Ekiti State confirmed recruitment and integration of forest guards with other security structures, including military and police operations.

However, implementation is not uniform across the country. Ondo State says it is relying on its Amotekun Corps instead of adopting the federal forest guard structure, while Zamfara State says it is awaiting federal approval before proceeding with recruitment.

Several other states, including Rivers, Abia and Osun, are still finalising plans or awaiting operational guidelines, despite growing insecurity in forested areas.

Security experts quoted by The PUNCH noted that while forest guards are expected to support intelligence gathering and protect forest reserves, their operational role varies significantly across states.

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that the government will not surrender to terrorism or banditry, adding that security agencies are being strengthened to secure communities and ensure the release of abducted persons.