Stakeholders in Cross River State have called for a significant increase in the recruitment of forest guards and rangers, arguing that the state’s vast forest reserves require stronger security presence to curb criminal activities, illegal mining and other environmental threats.
The calls followed the recent approval by President Bola Tinubu for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State after the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state.
Observers believe the initiative should be extended and fully implemented across the country, particularly in states with extensive forest cover such as Cross River.
Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Mr George Oben-Etche, said the state government was already positioning itself to benefit from the Federal Government’s forest security initiative.
He noted that upon assumption of office, about 300 forest rangers were recruited to strengthen surveillance and protection of the state’s forests.
According to him, the presidential directive on forest guard recruitment is a national security measure and should not be viewed as an intervention restricted to Oyo State alone.
He disclosed that plans were underway to increase the number of personnel protecting the state’s forest assets.
Also lending his voice, Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in Cross River State, Mr Joseph Omini Ogburuwa, described the Federal Government’s decision as a welcome step towards addressing growing insecurity in forested areas across the country.
Ogburuwa urged the Federal Government to formally engage the organisation in ongoing security efforts, insisting that its members possess the local knowledge and operational experience needed to tackle 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.
A forest ranger, Mr Efiok Emmanuel, expressed concern over what he described as inadequate manpower in Cross River’s expansive forest belt. He said only about 400 rangers currently patrol the state’s vast forest reserves despite increasing security and environmental challenges.
Emmanuel recalled that Governor Bassey Otu had, in 2024, directed the recruitment of 2,000 additional forest rangers to strengthen forest protection.
However, he said the plan was never fully implemented, adding that separate proposals to recruit forest guards at the local government level were also suspended.
Hevstresed that renewed recruitment would greatly enhance security operations and conservation efforts across the state.
