The Taraba State Government said personnel of the Forest Guard are fully ready for deployment to flush out criminal elements using forest reserves as safe havens, but are still awaiting federal funding, arms, and operational logistics to commence full operations across the country.
The Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Security and Intelligence, Col. J. G. Kwelle (rtd), disclosed this in an interview, noting that despite challenges of funding and equipment, the personnel remain active and engaged in preliminary security duties.
According to him, the Forest Guard initiative is a federal security programme designed primarily to secure forest reserves and prevent criminal groups from establishing hideouts in remote areas.
He dismissed claims that the outfit is ineffective or absent, stressing that misconceptions stem from limited visibility and lack of full deployment resources.
“The Forest Guard is a federal outfit, not a state outfit. Their primary responsibility is to protect forest reserves and ensure that criminals do not take over these areas and use them as safe havens,” he said.
Kwelle clarified that the mandate of the personnel does not include protection of farmlands, as some reports have suggested, but is focused strictly on forest surveillance and denial of criminal access to forest environments.
He said securing forests has become critical to Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that many armed groups operate from forested areas across the country.
The security adviser acknowledged that Forest Guard personnel in Taraba are yet to receive regular salaries since recruitment and training, attributing the delay to federal budgetary processes and timing of implementation.
He said the state government had begun steps to provide stipends to sustain the personnel pending full federal funding.
“Rather than leave them without support, the state government has taken steps to provide them with stipends while awaiting federal funding,” he said.
Kwelle also revealed that although the recruits had undergone professional training, including weapons handling at a Mobile Police training facility in Osun State, they have not yet been issued official firearms and uniforms.
He noted that authority to deploy weapons rests with federal security agencies, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“We cannot deploy unarmed personnel into forests where they may encounter armed criminals. That would be unsafe and counterproductive,” he said.
He explained that Forest Guards are currently participating in joint patrols alongside the military, police, and other security agencies across local government areas such as Karim Lamido, Sardauna, and Gashaka.
Kwelle added that public perception of inactivity is largely due to the absence of official uniforms, as many personnel currently operate in training attire bearing Forest Guard insignia.
Reaffirming government commitment to security, he said ongoing collaboration between security agencies and communities remains key to sustaining peace in Taraba State.
“Our goal is to ensure that Taraba people live and work in a safe environment. We will continue to strengthen security measures and work with all stakeholders to maintain peace across the state,” he said.
