Edo Begins Training of Forest Guards Amid Rising Security Concerns

(Training of Forest Guards. Photo Credit: Premuim Times)

The Edo State Government has announced that training for its newly recruited forest guards will commence on Friday, June 5, 2026.

The Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the six-week training programme will be held at the Police Training School, Ogida Barracks, in Benin City. All successful recruits are required to report to the facility on or before 5:00 p.m. on the stated date.

According to the commissioner, all candidates have already been profiled by the Department of State Services (DSS) and have completed their medical screening at Edo Specialist Hospital.

Recruits were advised to come prepared with all necessary documentation and to comply with the protocols of the training facility, with additional training materials to be provided upon arrival.

Those with further enquiries were directed to contact the Office of the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security.

The recruitment of forest guards has come into sharp focus following the abd¥ction of 45 teachers and students in Oyo State, an incident that triggered widespread public outcry and renewed calls for proactive security measures in forested areas across the country.

Earlier in the week, President Bola Tinubu announced plans to recruit 1,000 forest guards nationwide, who will be deployed to patrol forest areas and provide early warning alerts on any acts of banditry or insurgency.