By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of already-trained forest guards across the country, authorising the Department of State Services (DSS) to lead a sweeping security operation aimed at clearing forests of armed groups.
In a directive issued on Tuesday, Tinubu said the escalation of attacks by armed groups demanded urgent and decisive action, adding that the government would no longer tolerate criminal elements using the nation’s forests as safe havens.
“The DSS has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” Tinubu said.
The move marks one of the strongest security orders from the presidency since renewed violence by bandits and armed militias in northwestern and central Nigeria. Forest regions—vast, remote, and difficult to police—have long served as bases for kidnappers, cattle-rustling gangs, and armed groups responsible for raids on villages and highways.
Security analysts say the deployment, if effectively coordinated with the military and police, could disrupt militant logistics and restrict movement across forest corridors.
Tinubu has repeatedly vowed to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture, but critics argue that tangible improvements remain slow. The latest directive signals a push for more aggressive, intelligence-driven operations.
The presidency has not yet provided details on the number of forest guards to be deployed or the exact regions where the operations will begin. However, officials say the crackdown is expected to target high-risk forest zones across the north, including the notorious Kamuku, Birnin-Gwari, and Kuyanbana forests.
As the new security drive begins, many Nigerians are watching to see whether the government’s renewed offensive can curb years of insecurity that have displaced communities, disrupted farming, and strained the country’s economy.
