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  • Falana Calls on Tinubu to Extend Forest Guard Initiative to Borno Amid Insecurity Concerns

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Borno State and deploy a high-level Federal Government delegation to the state in response to worsening insecurity.

    Falana made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday, June 1, linking his call to the Federal Government’s recent security intervention in Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

    Call for Expanded Security Measures

    According to Falana, the Federal Government had already demonstrated urgency in responding to the Oyo incident by sending a high-powered delegation and approving the recruitment of forest guards to strengthen local security support.

    He noted that President Tinubu had also directed the creation of a specialised security unit to aid rescue operations for abducted victims in the South-West.

    Falana argued that similar intervention should be extended to Borno State, where he said insecurity has remained persistent.

    Concern Over Abductions in Borno

    The human rights lawyer said not less than 415 abducted schoolchildren and other citizens were currently in captivity in forests within Borno State, calling for urgent federal attention.

    “In view of the fact that not less than 415 abducted schoolchildren and other citizens are in the illegal custody of bandits and terrorists in unknown forests in Borno State, President Tinubu should also dispatch a high-powered federal delegation to visit the state in solidarity with the people,” he said.

    He also urged the Federal Government to approve the recruitment of forest guards in the state to strengthen local security operations.

    Push for Armed and Trained Forest Guards

    Falana stressed that any forest guard initiative must be backed with proper training and equipment, noting that criminal groups are often heavily armed.

    “The forest guards must be well trained and fully equipped to confront the bandits and terrorists who are armed with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons,” he stated.

    Call for Legal Action Review

    The Senior Advocate also suggested that the Federal Government reconsider ongoing legal action against members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, following what he described as a policy shift towards forest-based security operations.

    He added that the Attorney-General of the Federation should discontinue the criminal case against the affected individuals in light of the new security approach.

    The call comes amid renewed national debate on how to strengthen internal security architecture and address rising cases of kidnapping across multiple regions in Nigeria.

  • Tinubu Approves Recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards in Oyo Over Rising Insecurity, Abduction Crisis

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State as part of urgent measures aimed at strengthening security following recent abductions in parts of the state.

    The decision comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in the state, particularly the kidnapping of students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

    The development was disclosed on Sunday, May 31, during a visit by a high-level federal government delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire.

    The delegation was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    Security Reinforcement Measures

    During the visit, the delegation informed community leaders that the request for the establishment of a military base in the affected area would be forwarded to President Tinubu for consideration.

    Gbajabiamila also disclosed that the President had directed a specialised security unit with advanced capabilities to intensify rescue operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

    According to him, the recruitment of forest guards forms part of a broader strategy to improve surveillance and respond to security threats in forested and vulnerable areas.

    Presidential Commitment to Rescue Efforts

    Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the abduction and has ordered full support for security agencies involved in the rescue mission.

    “Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he said.

    He added that the rescue operation would be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, combining both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to ensure the safe return of the victims.

    Community Reassurance

    The delegation assured affected communities that the Federal Government is committed to addressing insecurity in the region and preventing future attacks on schools.

    The move comes as authorities continue efforts to locate and rescue abducted students and teachers, while security agencies intensify operations across vulnerable areas in Oyo State.