130,000 Forest Guards, One Legal Hurdle: Why Tinubu’s Bold Security Move Needs Urgent Legal Reform – Lawyer Warns

In a sweeping move aimed at tackling Nigeria’s festering insecurity crisis, President Bola Tinubu recently approved the deployment of over 130,000 armed forest guards across the country’s 1,129 forest reserves — a decision already drawing strong reactions from security experts, legal minds, and regional stakeholders. But according to Redzie Jugo, Esq., a legal analyst and prominent advocate for security reform in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, this ambitious initiative risks faltering unless it is underpinned by comprehensive legal and policy reforms.

In an exclusive opinion shared with First TV Online, Jugo delves into the forest guard policy’s legal implications, offering both support and a clear-eyed warning: “The policy is a game-changer, but without aligning it with Nigeria’s outdated firearms laws and ensuring legal accountability, we are setting ourselves up for chaos rather than security.”

Inside the Policy: Forests as Frontlines

The new forest guard system aims to reclaim lawless spaces now dominated by terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits. Overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, the guards are expected to serve as a specialized national force, bridging the gaps in Nigeria’s overstretched security architecture.

But deploying armed personnel in such a massive operation is not just a tactical decision—it’s a legal minefield, Jugo warns.

Legal Fault Lines: Who’s in Charge, and Under What Law?

Jugo identifies three major legal concerns:

1. Jurisdictional Confusion: Without clear legal mandates, forest guards may clash with the Nigeria Police Force and the Civil Defence Corps. “We need distinct roles and an unambiguous chain of command,” he stresses.

2. Rules of Engagement: Armed forces operating in civilian forests must be trained not just in combat, but in human rights law. “We’ve seen too often how unchecked force can lead to abuse,” says Jugo.

3. Legal Accountability: The success of the initiative hinges on building mechanisms for oversight. “Power without accountability is a recipe for impunity,” he says.

Middle Belt Voices: A Region Demanding Urgency

As a native of the embattled Middle Belt, Jugo paints a dire picture of communities ravaged by forest-based militias. He insists that governors in the region must act swiftly and decisively to localize the federal initiative:

• Fast-track enabling laws for recruitment and deployment.

• Budget and equip the force adequately.

• Foster inter-state legal cooperation to counter cross-border criminal movements.

“This is not just a federal policy — it’s a regional lifeline,” he said.

The Elephant in the Room: Nigeria’s Firearms Act

One of the most glaring legal bottlenecks, according to Jugo, is Nigeria’s Firearms Act (Cap F28 LFN 2004). Originally intended to regulate civilian gun ownership, the Act now serves, in his words, as a tool of “legal paralysis.”

“It’s virtually impossible for state-sanctioned entities like forest guards to access adequate arms legally, while criminals roam freely with military-grade weapons,” Jugo argues.

He calls for an urgent review of the Firearms Act, proposing reforms that:

• Allow state-authorized security outfits like forest guards to procure firearms without bureaucratic delays.

• Ensure balance of firepower between criminals and law enforcement.

• Provide legal protection for guards acting within the law, while enforcing strict accountability for abuses.

Global Lessons, Local Urgency

Citing international examples — such as anti-poaching rangers in Benin Republic or the structured oversight of U.S. forest law enforcement — Jugo emphasizes the importance of legally grounded and human rights-compliant operations.

“It’s not just about boots in the bush. It’s about giving those boots a legal foundation to stand on — and a legal line they must not cross,” he adds.

Bottom Line: A Legal Blueprint for Lasting Security

The forest guard initiative could be a landmark reform in Nigeria’s security playbook — but only if the country matches tactical ambition with legal precision.

“The time for political declarations is over,” Jugo concludes. “We need decisive legal and institutional action. The forests have become battlegrounds not just of violence, but of law and order. And in that battle, law must lead.”