By Sabiu Abdullahi
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to authorise the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Borno State as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.
Falana made the call in a statement issued on Monday. He urged the Federal Government to extend to Borno some of the security measures recently introduced in Oyo State.
According to him, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of forest guards in Oyo State and also dispatched a high-level federal delegation to the state after the abduction of pupils and teachers.
The senior lawyer argued that Borno should receive similar attention due to the large number of residents who remain in captivity.
“In view of the fact that not less than 415 abducted school children and other citizens are in the illegal custody of bandits and terrorists in unknown forests in Borno State, the President should also dispatch a high-powered federal delegation to visit the state in solidarity with the people,” he said.
Falana stressed the need for immediate measures to improve security across the state, which has faced persistent attacks from armed groups.
“The President should equally approve the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for the state without any further delay,” Falana added.
He also stated that any forest guards recruited should receive adequate training and equipment to enable them confront heavily armed criminal elements.
“The forest guards must be well trained and fully equipped to confront the bandits and terrorists who are armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons,” he said.
Falana further called on the Federal Government to reconsider the legal case involving members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service. He said the government’s recent endorsement of the forest guard initiative should influence its position on the matter.
“Since the Federal Government has now embraced the forest guard initiative, the Attorney-General should discontinue the criminal case pending at the Federal High Court against the seven leaders and members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service,” he said.
He maintained that the proposed actions would strengthen security efforts in Borno State and demonstrate the government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens and restoring public confidence.