Reclaiming Kogi’s forests: Ododo’s new security offensive takes shape

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

For years, vast stretches of forests across Kogi State have remained largely unoccupied and poorly monitored, creating fertile ground for criminal groups seeking refuge from security operations. These forests have increasingly become hideouts for bandits, kidnappers and other violent criminals, posing a growing threat to communities and economic activities.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo appears determined to change that narrative.

His recent visit to the training camp of newly recruited Forest Guard Trainees was more than a routine inspection. It was a symbolic declaration that the battle for Kogi’s security is moving deeper into areas that have long provided cover for criminal elements.

Addressing the trainees, the governor described the forests as a major security challenge and emphasized that reclaiming them is central to his administration’s security agenda. According to him, the newly established Forest Guard initiative is designed to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and deny criminals the freedom to operate from remote locations.

The programme, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser in partnership with the Department of State Services (DSS), reflects a growing recognition that conventional policing alone may not be enough to address evolving security threats.

Ododo’s message to the trainees was clear: discipline, patriotism and professionalism will be essential in carrying out their responsibilities. He stressed that the state is not only interested in increasing security personnel but also ensuring that those recruited possess integrity and loyalty to the communities they will serve.

The governor’s visit came just a day after he inspected the first batch of Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government, suggesting a broader and more coordinated security strategy. By combining manpower, technology, equipment and intelligence-driven operations, the administration hopes to improve response capabilities across the state.

Security analysts have often pointed to forests as one of the most difficult terrains for law enforcement agencies to effectively monitor. Kogi’s approach of creating a specialized force dedicated to forest surveillance could therefore represent a significant shift in how subnational governments address security challenges.

Beyond the security implications, reclaiming the forests could have economic benefits. Safer rural communities often attract investment, encourage agricultural activities and improve confidence among residents and businesses. For a state strategically positioned as a gateway between northern and southern Nigeria, security remains a critical factor in sustaining development.

As the Forest Guard trainees prepare for deployment, expectations are high. Whether the initiative succeeds will depend not only on training and equipment but also on sustained support, effective coordination with existing security agencies and the ability to maintain public trust.

For Governor Ododo, however, the objective appears straightforward: ensure that Kogi’s forests no longer serve as sanctuaries for criminals but become part of a broader security network designed to protect lives, property and economic opportunities across the state.