Nigeria President Tinubu approves 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State

President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of about 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State as a response to rising insecurity in the region. The move is intended to strengthen forest surveillance and curb criminal activity, but critics say it reflects a reactive rather than a coordinated national security strategy.

Presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned the decision, labeling it "poor leadership" and warning that similar ad‑hoc approvals could be extended to other states, potentially creating a fragmented security apparatus. Obi compared the recruitment to past policies such as the sudden removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, arguing that Nigeria needs a holistic, ecosystem‑based approach to insecurity that integrates existing outfits like the Amotekun Corps.

The debate highlights broader concerns about coordination between federal and state security initiatives and stresses the need for a long‑term, systematic plan to address insecurity across multiple Nigerian states.