Kaduna graduates 1,101 Armed Forest Guards

On August 1, 2026, the Nigeria — Kaduna State Government graduated the pioneer batch of 1,101 Armed Forest Guards at the DSS Development Centre in Afaka, Kaduna. Governor Uba Sani reviewed the passing-out parade, describing it as a major milestone in the state's campaign against insecurity. The guards, selected from the existing 7,000 members of the Nigeria — Kaduna State Vigilance Service, underwent two months of intensive training in weapons handling, marksmanship, patrol and tracking, ambush tactics, combat first aid, and international humanitarian law. The training was conducted in partnership with the Nigeria — Office of the National Security Adviser and the United States — United States Department of State, with instructors from the Nigeria — Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, the DSS, and the United States — National Park Service. The initiative, launched by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025, aims to secure ungoverned forest areas, protect biodiversity, and deny criminal groups safe havens. Governor Sani highlighted that improved security has enabled the reopening of over 125 schools and the resumption of farming and healthcare in affected communities. He appealed to the Federal Government to approve the recruitment of an additional 1,000 Forest Guards for Nigeria — Kaduna State.