Amid rising attacks and killings by terrorists and bandits, the Nigerian Government has approved the establishment of forest guards.
President Bola Tinubu gave the approval for the commencement of their employment to secure the 1,129 forests in the country.
This was disclosed in a statement by Tinubu's Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, on Wednesday.
Dare said the President directed that the forest guards would be well trained and armed to perform their duties, which is essentially to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding inside the forests for criminal activities.
“This recruitment is a security collaborative effort between the federal and state governments.
“The office of the NSA and the Ministry of Environment have been directed to take charge and ensure full implementation.
“Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to be employed as personnel of the outfit.
“President Tinubu had warned terrorists that his administration would not surrender an inch of the country’s territory to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal gangs operating inside the forests.
“President Tinubu vowed that the country would take back its forests,” he stated.