Policies
Abuja, Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State in collaboration with the Oyo State Government. The move is part of renewed federal efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry affecting rural and border communities in the state.
Security analysts and community leaders have described the decision as a timely intervention. Oyo State’s vast forest reserves have increasingly become hideouts for criminal elements. The deployment of trained forest guards is expected to strengthen surveillance, improve early warning systems, and restore public confidence in affected areas.
“This is a laudable decision that demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to securing lives and livelihoods in Oyo State,” a security stakeholder stated. “When properly equipped and coordinated, forest guards can serve as the first line of defense in preventing attacks and abductions.”
Call for Integration with Community PeaceTech
Stakeholders, however, stress that the initiative will achieve greater impact if integrated with community-driven peacebuilding tools.
They are urging the Federal Government to complement the deployment of forest guards with support for the IAWPA PeaceTech Initiative. The platform combines zero-rated SMS, USSD, and WhatsApp reporting lines, trained Community Peace Committees, and real-time dashboards. It enables citizens to report suspicious activities, unsafe practices, and rumors safely and anonymously.
“Physical presence in the forests must be matched with intelligence from the communities,” the stakeholders noted. “PeaceTech provides that bridge, allowing forest guards and security agencies to receive verified, real-time information from residents while countering misinformation that often fuels panic and division.”
The International Association of World Peace Advocates, IAWPA, operates in partnership with governments and local communities. It has already piloted PeaceTech in several high-risk areas to strengthen early warning and promote social cohesion around public safety threats.
Appeal for Nationwide Expansion
As recruitment begins in Oyo State, stakeholders are appealing to the Federal Government to leverage PeaceTech to make the forest guard more proactive, community-owned, and sustainable.
The statement further stressed the need for President Tinubu to expand the recruitment of forest guards to other states of the federation facing similar security challenges.
