Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval of 1,000 federal forest guards for Oyo State, describing the move as evidence of reactive leadership rather than a well-planned solution to Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
Obi made the remarks amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and violent attacks across various parts of the country. According to him, while efforts to improve security are necessary, isolated interventions cannot effectively address the scale of insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods nationwide.
The federal government recently approved the recruitment and deployment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security operations in Oyo State’s forests and rural communities. Under the arrangement, the federal government will provide recruitment, training, and equipment for the personnel, while the Oyo State Government will be responsible for paying their salaries and operational allowances.
The initiative is expected to complement the activities of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, which already has more than 2,500 operatives working across Oyo State and other South-West states.
However, Obi questioned the timing and scope of the intervention, arguing that the measure appeared to be a hurried response to recent abduction incidents rather than part of a broader national security framework.
According to the former governor, Nigeria requires a comprehensive and coordinated strategy that addresses the root causes of insecurity, including poor intelligence gathering, unemployment, weak border controls, and inadequate security infrastructure.
He stressed that the country’s security challenges have become increasingly complex, requiring collaboration among federal, state, and local authorities, as well as community-based organizations and traditional institutions.
“Nigeria’s security crisis demands more than temporary measures,” Obi reportedly stated. “What is needed is a sustainable framework that can protect citizens across all regions while addressing the factors driving criminal activities.”
His comments have generated mixed reactions among political observers and security analysts. Supporters of Obi argue that the government’s approach to security has often been reactionary, with interventions occurring only after major incidents attract public attention.
They contend that deploying forest guards to individual states without implementing a nationwide security architecture could create uneven protection levels and fail to address criminal networks that operate across state boundaries.
On the other hand, defenders of the federal government’s decision maintain that the approval demonstrates responsiveness to emerging threats. They note that forests have increasingly become hideouts for kidnappers, armed gangs, and other criminal groups, making targeted security measures necessary.
Some analysts also point out that similar federal support has been extended to other states facing security challenges, including Plateau State, suggesting that the Oyo initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance local security capabilities.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with insecurity despite various military operations and security reforms introduced in recent years. Reports indicate that thousands of lives have been lost to violent attacks, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping since 2023, while many communities remain vulnerable to criminal activities.
Security experts have repeatedly called for increased investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, community policing, and inter-agency coordination to improve the nation’s security outlook.
As debates continue over the effectiveness of the forest guard initiative, many Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the deployment will significantly reduce criminal activities in Oyo State and serve as a model for other regions.
The controversy underscores the broader national conversation about how best to tackle insecurity and restore public confidence in the country’s security institutions. With security remaining one of the most pressing issues facing the nation, calls for long-term solutions are expected to remain at the center of political discourse ahead of future elections.
