CCC Urges Adequate Training, Equipment for 130,000 Forest Guards Ahead of Special Deployment
The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has called on the Federal Government to ensure the comprehensive training, proper equipping, and motivation of the 130,000 personnel being deployed under the newly established Forest Guard Corps for a special nationwide security operation.
The CCC emphasized that the success of the corps in reclaiming ungoverned spaces and addressing Nigeria’s deepening insecurity will depend largely on its operational readiness.
Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi, a Research Fellow at CCC, made the appeal on Arise Television on Monday while analyzing the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP activities in Nigeria’s North-East, particularly in the BAY states—Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.
He described the formation of the Forest Guard Corps as a commendable initiative by the Federal Government to combat insecurity, especially in remote areas vulnerable to terrorist activities. However, he warned that without proper training and logistics, the initiative may fall short of expectations.
“There is no doubt that reclaiming ungoverned spaces is crucial in combating terrorism and other crimes,” Madobi said. “But the Forest Guard Corps must be fully prepared to operate effectively in difficult terrains to make a real impact.”
Madobi cited recent security reports indicating that more than 200 people were killed in at least 26 attacks across the BAY states between January and April 2025. The casualties included military and police officers, insurgents, fishermen, farmers, and civilians. He added that six military formations were also targeted during the period.
He attributed the resurgence of attacks to several factors, including porous borders around the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region, which provide unhindered movement for terrorists. He also noted that the redeployment of key military assets—such as fighter jets and attack helicopters—from the North-East to the North-West has weakened the counter-insurgency response in the region.
To reverse the trend, Madobi urged the government to adopt a multi-pronged strategy that includes disrupting terrorist financial networks and investing in advanced military technologies.
“Terrorist groups rely heavily on their financial networks to operate. We must disrupt these networks aggressively. Once their funding is cut, their capacity to carry out attacks will diminish,” he stressed.
He warned that the Forest Guard Corps must not be allowed to fail at inception, especially as insurgents continue to evolve their tactics and regroup in forested enclaves.
Madobi’s remarks come at a time of heightened concern over national security and underscore the importance of strategic planning and sustained political will in defeating terrorism and restoring peace across Nigeria.
