By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has announced the graduation of more than 7,000 newly trained forest guards, marking the operational launch of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative aimed at strengthening internal security.

The graduation ceremonies were held simultaneously on Saturday, December 27, 2025, across seven frontline states: Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi. The recruits, drawn from local communities within these states, have completed an intensive three-month training program.

Launched by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025, the initiative is designed to deny terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers sanctuary in the nation’s vast forest areas. The program directs each participating state to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 personnel.

According to a statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the training curriculum emphasized physical conditioning, tactical patrol operations, and legal frameworks—including ethics, human rights, and proper use-of-force procedures. Firearms handling was conducted in strict compliance with an approved Arms Management Manual.

The program achieved a 98.2% completion rate. Of the trainees, 81 were disqualified on disciplinary grounds, and two individuals died due to pre-existing medical conditions. All successful participants have been certified and cleared for immediate duty.

National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, announced the guards’ immediate deployment, stating that salaries and allowances have been activated concurrently.

“These Forest Guards are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture,” Ribadu said.

“They will leverage their indigenous knowledge of the local terrain and community trust to gather intelligence, hold ground, and support other security agencies in reclaiming territories from criminal elements.”

He emphasized the initiative’s broader objective: “By protecting our forests, we are securing our territory and protecting our people. This program will expand nationwide as part of our sustained effort to build a safer Nigeria.”

The initiative is being executed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Park Service, and the Armed Forces, Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Senator Ali Ndume, former Senate Leader and representative of Borno South, has formally urged the Federal Government to expand its security cooperation with the United States to include Nigeria’s North-East region. This appeal follows the recent joint operation in Sokoto State, which successfully targeted ISIS-affiliated cells.

The call was made on Saturday, December 27, as Senator Ndume commended the precision airstrikes carried out in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The operation was publicly acknowledged by U.S. authorities and later confirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

Minister Tuggar emphasized that the mission was conducted with Nigeria’s full approval, cooperation, and intelligence support, upholding national sovereignty and avoiding religious bias.

Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, said extending such joint operations to the North-East would significantly weaken the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.

“We welcome this cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in targeting terrorist hideouts,” Ndume said.

“I am calling on both governments to extend it to the North-East, where ISWAP and Boko Haram maintain three major strongholds—Lake Chad, the Mandara Mountains and the Sambisa Forest,” he added.

He also advocated deeper military collaboration, including training, intelligence sharing, logistics support and the deployment of attack helicopters to support ground troops.

Ndume commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allocating the highest budgetary provision to defence in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, but stressed the need for accountability and transparency in the utilisation of the funds.

Reacting to the recent suicide bomb attack at a mosque in Gamboru, Maiduguri, which claimed five lives and left several others injured, the former Senate Chief Whip expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

“The attack in Gamboru is a stark reminder that terrorists have no regard for religion. In this case, all the victims were Muslims. This clearly shows that the narrative of a Christian genocide does not exist.

“These terrorists are simply making life unbearable for our people, irrespective of faith,” he said.

Senator Ndume reaffirmed his support for strengthened international partnerships to combat terrorism and restore lasting peace and stability to Nigeria, particularly in the vulnerable North-East region.

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

The Kano Patriotic Front, popularly known as Rundunar Kishin Kano (RKK), has pledged to plant 22 million trees across all 44 local government areas of Kano State and will honour of the late General Murtala Muhammad. This was disclosed by the Head of the Front, Retired Major General Ibrahim Sani, while addressing journalists ahead of the group’s second anniversary celebrations.

According to Major General Ibrahim Sani, the initiative is part of RKK’s climate change campaign, with a target of planting 500,000 trees in each local government. He revealed that so far, 40,000 trees have already been planted, stressing that the mission is not only to plant but to physically participate in the greening of Kano.

Speaking further, Major General Ibrahim Sani explained that the second anniversary of RKK will be marked tomorrow at the Trade Fair Complex, Kano Chamber of Commerce. He emphasized that the organization’s vision goes beyond tree planting, noting that Kano has lost its position as the centre of trans-Saharan trade and must reclaim its relevance through sustainable development.

On security, Major General Ibrahim Sani stated that “whatever you are doing, security is number one.” He highlighted RKK’s efforts in tackling insecurity and water challenges, pointing out that the group has introduced digitalization projects in Kano and Jigawa, with plans to expand across the African continent.

Addressing the menace of thuggery, known locally as Daba, Major General Ibrahim Sani said RKK has successfully reduced the activities of thugs in several areas, including Rimin Zango and Kofar Mata. He explained that many of the youths involved in thuggery have been empowered with skills and employment opportunities, transforming them into full-fledged workers.

In partnership with HYSADEF, Major General Ibrahim Sani noted that RKK has provided safe drinking water by constructing boreholes in Kano metropolis and rural areas. He added that these efforts have helped reduce waterborne diseases, while antenatal kits have been donated to hospitals to support maternal health and emergency response.

On education, Major General Ibrahim Sani revealed that RKK has opened clinics in schools and supplied teaching materials such as record books. He said science schools have been equipped with laboratories and skeletons to aid learning, while teachers’ needs are being addressed to improve the quality of education.

Women empowerment is also a key focus of RKK. Major General Ibrahim Sani disclosed that many women have been supported with ₦25,000 capital to start small businesses, helping them achieve financial independence. He stressed that the tree planting campaign will prioritize economic trees such as tamarind, which provide both environmental and economic benefits.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Major General Ibrahim Sani announced that awards will be presented to deserving individuals from Kano in the diaspora who have contributed to the state’s development. He lamented that General Murtala Muhammad, despite being recognized and honoured outside Kano, has not been adequately celebrated within the state.

Major General Ibrahim Sani added that the 22 million tree project is not only a tribute to the late General Murtala Muhammad but also a legacy initiative to combat climate change, empower communities, and restore Kano’s pride as a centre of progress.