Stakeholders call for expanding Forest Guard recruitment in Cross River

Stakeholders in Cross River State are urging a major boost in the hiring of forest guards and rangers, contending that the state’s extensive forest reserves need a stronger security presence to deter criminal activity, illegal mining, and other environmental threats.

The appeal comes after President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and teachers there.

Observers argue that the initiative should be expanded nationwide, especially in states with large forest areas such as Cross River.

George Oben‑Etche, chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, said the state government is already positioning itself to benefit from the federal forest security programme.

He noted that when he took office, roughly 300 forest rangers were recruited to enhance surveillance and protection of the state’s forests.

According to Oben‑Etche, the presidential directive on forest guard recruitment is a national security measure and should not be seen as an intervention limited to Oyo State.

He added that plans are underway to increase the number of personnel safeguarding the state’s forest assets.

Joseph Omini Ogburuwa, commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in Cross River State, welcomed the federal decision as a positive step toward addressing growing insecurity in forested areas across the country.

Ogburuwa urged the federal government to formally involve the organisation in ongoing security efforts, noting that its members possess the local knowledge and operational experience needed to confront criminal elements operating in remote forests.

“We have about 2,000 members in Cross River State alone, while some states have as many as 5,000 members. We have the capacity to help fill existing security gaps in the forests and contribute meaningfully to national security efforts,” he said.

Forest ranger Efiok Emmanuel expressed concern over what he described as inadequate manpower in Cross River’s expansive forest belt, noting that only about 400 rangers currently patrol the state’s vast forest reserves despite mounting security and environmental challenges.

Emmanuel recalled that Governor Bassey Otu had directed the recruitment of 2,000 additional forest rangers in 2024 to strengthen forest protection.

However, he said the plan was never fully implemented, and separate proposals to recruit forest guards at the local government level were also suspended.

He stressed that renewed recruitment would greatly enhance security operations and conservation efforts across the state.