Replicate Forests Guards In All States – NDC Presidential Candidate, Obi, Advises FG

By Ayodele Oni

Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has advised that all the 36 states should benefit from forests guards, a Federal Government initiative to curtail banditry.

Obi criticised President Bola Tinubu’s reported plan to recruit 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State, calling it a “reactive” fix that ignores Nigeria’s wider security crisis.

In an X post  titled “What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic, Not Reactive Approach,” Obi said the move shows “inadequate leadership and a reactive strategy” to a problem affecting nearly all 36 states.

He compared it to the abrupt fuel subsidy removal and Naira devaluation, which he said caused “significant and lasting harm” to citizens and the economy.

“While increasing security personnel is important, such measures must follow a structured, well-thought-out process,” Obi stated through his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar.

The former Anambra governor questioned whether the Oyo model would be replicated nationwide. “If Oyo gets 1,000 guards, will this be extended uniformly to all states — totalling 37,000 guards for the 36 states and Abuja?

“Or are such decisions arbitrary and dependent on the President’s disposition?” he asked.

Obi flagged Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo, and Sokoto as states with “particularly alarming” insecurity.

He also warned about overlap with existing regional outfits like Amotekun Corps in the South-West, which he said are already working to secure the region.