•Vows to deploy every lawful resource to protect Citizens.
DSS begins elite training for new Forest Guards in the state
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has officially declared a “total war” on criminal elements utilizing Kogi State’s vast forest reserves as operational bases. In a decisive move aimed at restoring peace and security across the Confluence State, the Governor announced that the era of “safe havens” for terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers is over.
The Governor made this declaration on Sunday during a high-profile visit to the training camp of the newly recruited Forest Guard trainees in Lokoja. The visit marks a critical milestone in the state’s revamped security architecture, designed to saturate ungoverned spaces with trained personnel and high-tech surveillance.
Addressing the recruits, Governor Ododo emphasized that his administration would not tolerate any group threatening the peace of the state.
“There will be no safe haven for terrorists, bandits, and other violent criminals operating within the state,” Ododo declared. “We are determined to rid Kogi of criminal elements and we will deploy all lawful resources necessary to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors alike.”
The Governor noted that the state’s geography—characterized by dense, largely unguarded forests—has historically posed a significant security challenge. These areas, he admitted, have served as hideouts for criminal groups to launch ambushes on innocent citizens.
“The recruitment and training of these Forest Guards is a key component of our strategy to deny criminals access to these safe havens and improve the capacity of our security agencies to respond with overwhelming force,” he added.
The Kogi Forest Guard initiative is not a standalone effort but a localized implementation of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May.
Governor Ododo took the opportunity to laud the President for his vision in securing Nigeria’s 1,129 designated forests. He also extended profound appreciation to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, for their strategic leadership.
Crucially, the Governor revealed that the DSS is directly overseeing the profiling and training of the recruits. This, he explained, is to ensure that the unit is comprised only of individuals with “proven character, integrity, and unwavering loyalty.”
“We are not just expanding manpower; we are building a professional force. I urge you to discharge your responsibilities with discipline and patriotism. You are a valuable addition to our security architecture,” Ododo told the trainees.
The Governor’s visit to the training camp followed a Saturday inspection of a newly procured fleet of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). The state government acquired the heavy-duty hardware to enhance the “operational capacity and combat readiness” of security forces on the frontlines.
By combining the boots-on-the-ground presence of the Forest Guards with the mobile fire-power of the new APCs, the administration intends to create an impenetrable security web around the state’s borders and hinterlands.
Beyond immediate safety, Governor Ododo linked the security crackdown to the state’s economic future. He reaffirmed that making Kogi safe is the first step toward making it a hub for investment and sustainable development.
“Security remains the top priority of this administration. We will sustain our investment in personnel, equipment, and intelligence-driven operations until every citizen can pursue their lawful activities without fear,” he concluded.
As the Forest Guards prepare for deployment, residents across Kogi’s 21 Local Government Areas expressed renewed hope that the move will finally end the menace of highway banditry and rural terror that has occasionally plagued the state’s border corridors.
