Forest guards deployed to high-risk communities in Kwara and Enugu states are reportedly leaving their posts or threatening to do so, citing months of unpaid salaries and allowances, inadequate feeding and poor access to weapons.

The operatives, recruited and trained under government-backed forest security programmes, said they were deployed to areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities without receiving the level of welfare and equipment they were promised.

In Kwara, guards stationed in parts of Kaiama, Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas have reportedly begun returning to their bases after spending months in remote locations without adequate support.

Some of the personnel said they had gone for more than three months without receiving food or other welfare provisions, leaving them dependent on residents in communities that are themselves struggling economically.

‘We Are Hungry and Poorly Equipped’

One of the guards said they accepted their deployment on the understanding that the government would provide for their basic needs.

“We were told that when we were deployed to the communities, the government would take responsibility for our welfare. But for more than three months, there has been no food. We have been struggling to survive.”

According to the operative, attempts to obtain food from local residents have often failed because many residents cannot afford to feed additional people.

Another guard said the circumstances had made it increasingly difficult for personnel to remain in the field.

“We did not join this work to become beggars. We were deployed here to protect people, but nobody is protecting us.”

The guards also alleged that payment arrangements announced at the time of recruitment had not been fully implemented.

They said the government had made commitments regarding their salaries and welfare but that several of those promises remained unfulfilled.

Concerns Over Weapons

Beyond welfare, the operatives expressed concern about the weapons available to them.

They claimed they were sometimes expected to confront criminal groups equipped with more sophisticated firearms while operating with inadequate weapons.

One guard questioned how personnel could effectively confront heavily armed criminals without sufficient firepower.

The operatives also pointed out that their assignments often take them deep into remote forests, where reinforcement from conventional security agencies may take considerable time.

According to one guard, the risks are particularly serious because forest guards may be the first government security personnel to encounter criminals operating in isolated areas.

Enugu Personnel Claim Months of Unpaid Salaries

Similar complaints have emerged from Enugu State, where some forest guards said they had continued working for months without receiving salaries or allowances.

Some personnel were initially engaged as volunteers and were reportedly told they would later be regularised and absorbed into the state government's payroll.

A source familiar with the situation alleged that some guards had been working across communities and local government areas since November 2025 without receiving their expected payments.

The source also claimed that personnel selected for national training were still awaiting several months of allowances.

Some of the guards are reportedly involved in joint security operations alongside the military, police, Civil Defence personnel and neighbourhood watch groups.

Personnel deployed to Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, described by one source as a particularly troubled part of the state, are among those affected.

One guard said the uncertainty surrounding their employment and payment had become increasingly frustrating.

“We don't know where the problem is from, whether it is from our commanders or the government. However, the government should pay us whatever they agreed to pay us.”

The affected personnel are also seeking clarification over their employment status and whether those recruited as volunteers will eventually be formally absorbed into government service.

Forest Guard Programme

The complaints come as the Federal Government continues to expand its forest guard programme as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in Nigeria's forests.

In November 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and directed the deployment of trained forest guards to areas where terrorists and bandits were believed to be operating.

The Federal Government later announced the graduation of more than 7,000 forest guards from seven frontline states, including Kwara.

By July 2026, the government said the programme had expanded to 10 states, with more than 9,000 personnel trained.

The initiative is coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and operationally led by the Department of State Services, with the involvement of the National Intelligence Agency, Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Police Force and National Park Service.

Kwara Deployments Face Growing Security Risks

Kwara has been a major focus of the programme because of security threats affecting remote communities and forest corridors.

In December 2025, the Federal Government announced that about 1,000 forest guards had completed training in the state ahead of deployments targeting terrorists, kidnappers and illegal miners.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had described the programme as a significant development for forest security.

The guards were deployed to vulnerable areas including Kaiama, Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun and Ekiti local government areas.

However, the dangers associated with the assignments have already resulted in casualties.

At least 12 forest guards and vigilantes were reportedly killed in an attack in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, in September 2025.

In April 2026, six forest guards were also reportedly killed in Nuku, Kaiama Local Government Area, during an attack blamed on suspected terrorists.

The incidents have heightened concerns about whether forest guards have sufficient weapons, training and logistical support to operate safely against heavily armed criminal groups.

Guards Demand Support, Not Withdrawal

Despite leaving some deployment locations, the Kwara personnel insisted that they were not opposed to carrying out their responsibilities.

They said their demands were focused on receiving the basic support necessary to perform their duties.

“We are not saying that we do not want to work. We are saying that the government must provide the things we need to work. Give us food, pay us properly and equip us with the weapons required to defend ourselves and the communities.”

Another operative warned that sending personnel into dangerous areas without adequate welfare and equipment could put both the guards and civilians at greater risk.

The guards said they accepted the assignments because they believed they were joining a properly funded government security programme and now want authorities to fulfil the commitments made to them.

Authorities Yet to Respond

The allegations have raised questions about the sustainability of the forest guard initiative, particularly its ability to support personnel operating in remote and high-risk locations.

In Enugu, attempts by SaharaReporters to obtain a response from the state Forest Guards Commander, Dr Akinbayo Olasoji, were reportedly unsuccessful, as calls to his telephone were unanswered at the time of publication.

The Enugu State Government had also not publicly addressed the allegations concerning unpaid salaries and allowances.

In Kwara, the guards are calling for urgent action on their welfare, remuneration and equipment before they are expected to continue operating in areas where they face heavily armed criminal groups.

The exact number of affected personnel, the total amount allegedly owed and the precise terms of their employment could not be independently verified.