Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq has announced the recruitment of additional 2,600 forest guards to complement the efforts of security agencies in addressing escalating security challenges in the state.

A statement by the special assistant to the governor, Olayinka Fafoluyi, on Wednesday, said Mr AbdulRazaq visited the training ground of the newly recruited guards to encourage them and their instructors, reminding them of the need to improve the security of lives and property across the state.

“The AbdulRazaq-led administration maintains that it is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to stabilise the troubled parts of the state. His presence at the facility is expected to further lift the morale of the trainees and reassure residents, especially those in communities affected by recent threats, that concrete steps are being taken to enhance safety and restore calm in rural areas,” the statement said.

Mr Fafoluyi noted that over 700 forest guards had been recruited, trained in basic military tactics, and had started working alongside security agencies to strengthen surveillance and combat security challenges in the state.

He noted that while the military continues to clear the ungoverned forests, the forest guards will complement their efforts by ensuring that the reclaimed areas remain unsafe for criminal elements. 

“This coordinated approach is aimed particularly at preventing bandits and kidnappers from returning to hideouts previously used to launch attacks on innocent residents,” the statement added.

The recruitment of additional forest guards came amid a wave of renewed killings and kidnappings by armed bandits in Edu, Ifelodun and other local governments, prompting the federal government to strengthen military reinforcement across the state.

President Bola Tinubu also ordered a comprehensive security cordon on forests in Kwara, following recent attacks by armed bandits.