…Citizens demand action
Aminu Imam
Nigeria’s insecurity crisis continues to deepen, as armed criminals launch deadly attacks and abductions from forest hideouts across the country.
The recent killing of Chibuzor Nkoro in Imo State and the abduction of passengers in his car is just one of many brutal incidents now common nationwide.
Communities in Plateau, Benue, and the South-East remain under siege. Despite billions spent on security and the deployment of Tucano fighter jets, citizens question the effectiveness of current efforts.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has launched the National Forest Guard, aiming to target criminals in their strongholds. The initiative plans to deploy over 130,000 trained and armed operatives to protect Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves, with states recruiting 2,000–5,000 guards each.
Security experts and citizens have welcomed the move. Bem Hembafan, a retired Airforce officer, praised the strategy as a step in the right direction: “Let locals who know the terrain take the fight to the forests. If fighter jets can’t reach them, guards can.”
Legal expert, Issah Aliyu and former lawmaker, Obinna Ichita also backed the move, highlighting the potential for local protection and reduced dependence on distant security forces. Ichita emphasized the need for state involvement, community support, and transparency to ensure success.
However, skepticism remains. Civil servant, Ameh Ochefu warned that without sincerity and equal enforcement, the initiative risks failure like previous efforts. “You can’t fight terror with favoritism”, he said.
Experts urged the Government to ensure local recruitment, community engagement, and proper support for fallen officers’ families. While forest guards may help, they insist a multi-faceted, honest approach is vital to tackling Nigeria’s complex security threats.
