Deployment Of 7,000 Forest Guards Will Boost Dry Season Farming – Farmers

National president of the All-Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Hon. Muhammad Magaji Gettado, has said the deployment of 7,000 Forest Guards across the country will encourage his members to return to their farms, particularly for dry-season farming.

Gettado expressed satisfaction with the federal government’s efforts to safeguard farmers during both dry and rainy seasons through the Forest Guards initiative.

In an interaction with journalists in Bauchi yesterday, the AFAN president said the recent graduation and immediate deployment of over 7,000 newly recruited Forest Guards from frontline states would strengthen internal security and help reclaim forests from criminal elements in Nigeria.

According to him, AFAN closely followed the passion and commitment demonstrated by the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing the security challenges across the country.

“A clear example is the recent graduation of 7,000 Forest Guards for immediate deployment. This programme was coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, with participants drawn from frontline states under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative launched in May 2025,” he said.

Gettado noted that AFAN received the news of the graduation ceremony with excitement, held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, across states including Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara and Kebbi.

He described the initiative as a coordinated federal and state security intervention aimed at denying terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups access to forested and hard-to-reach areas used as hideouts.

“The profound impact of security on farming, businesses, religious, social and economic activities cannot be overemphasised. This intervention will open up access to farmlands for hardworking farmers who previously abandoned their farms out of fear for their lives,” Gettado said.

He added that the deployment of Forest Guards would strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture while restoring confidence among farmers to resume both dry and rainy season farming.

The AFAN president called on state governments to cooperate fully with the Forest Guards and complement the federal government’s efforts in tackling insecurity.

“We assure the government of our unflinching support and cooperation in achieving this noble objective, which is aimed at providing relief and renewed hope to farmers across the country,” he said.