Popoola: Forest Guards Must Be Properly Trained to Tackle Emerging Threats

Prof. Labode Popoola has warned about the dangers of deploying poorly trained forest guards to safeguard the forests in view of the prevailing siege and security crisis in the forests.

Prof Popoola dropped this warning at the maiden edition of the Monthly Global Discourse of ValidViewNetwork themed “Nigeria’s Forests Under Siege: Charting a Path to Safety, Stability, and Sustainable Development,” held virtually on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

The Monthly Global Discourse is ValidViewNetwork’s signature global conversation platform conceived to bridge the gap between knowledge and action by creating a forum where global perspectives meet local realities. Through robust discussions and evidence-based engagements, the initiative seeks to promote informed decision making, public awareness, policy innovation, and sustainable development. It comes up 6:00 to 8:00pm (WAT) every last Sunday of the month.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Monthly Global Discourse, Prof Popoola hinted that  deploying poorly trained forest guards into hostile forest terrains is like sending pilots into the sky without a compass . He warned : “they may be airborne, but they are not equipped to navigate the storm”. He therefore made a compelling call for professional, science‑driven forest security reform to mitigate the emerging challenges.

ValidViewNetwork reports that forest guards are the frontline defenders of Nigeria’s forest landscapes and are responsible for surveillance, ecological monitoring, enforcement of forest laws, prevention of illegal logging, and supporting community safety. Their importance has intensified as many children, women, and men remain trapped in various forests across Nigeria, held in makeshift camps by bandits and kidnappers who exploit these ungoverned spaces for criminal operations.

In response to the escalating siege on Nigeria’s forests, the Federal Government recently embarked on a large‑scale recruitment of forest guards. Meanwhile, while commending the drive, Prof. Popoola warned that recruitment without rigorous, specialised training will not help the situation on ground. He affirmed: “Forest guards cannot be trained within a week or a month. They must understand the terrain, the ecology, and the risks. Anything short of this will not work.”

He explained that forest guards must undergo paramilitary‑grade training, citing the armed and well‑structured Gendarmeries in Togo and Benin as models of competence and operational readiness. According to him, Nigeria’s forest guards must be equipped to navigate complex terrains, understand forest ecology, respond to emergencies, and confront heavily armed criminal groups who have turned forests into operational bases.

Prof. Popoola further emphasized that forest guards should be deployed in close collaboration with state forestry apparatus and trained scientists, ensuring that operations are guided by professional knowledge, ecological intelligence, and coordinated security strategies. He noted that Nigeria’s forest crisis is partly rooted in years of neglect, weak governance structures, and the absence of Management Plans, a vacuum that allowed criminals to entrench themselves.

His words : “You cannot successfully safeguard a forest today without adequate knowledge of science and deployment of technology. They must have current communication devices, navigation equipment, and protective gear suitable for forest operations”.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the Distinguished Discussant urged state governors to begin establishing mechanisms for effective forest management once the current crisis stabilises. He stressed that Nigeria cannot reclaim its forests or secure rural communities without structured planning, professional oversight, and evidence‑based governance.

Prof. Labode Popoola, FFAN, is an internationally respected scholar, development expert, and one of Africa’s leading voices in forestry, environmental governance, and sustainable development. He currently serves as the Executive Secretary/CEO of the African Forest Forum, where he provides continental leadership on forest policy, climate resilience, and sustainable natural resource management. A Professor of Forest Economics and Sustainable Development, Prof. Popoola has built an illustrious academic and administrative career spanning several decades. He is a former President of the Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), where he championed reforms that strengthened professional standards and advanced national conversations on forest conservation.

He also served as Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, providing visionary leadership that enhanced institutional growth, academic excellence, and global visibility. His work across research, policy, and institutional development has earned him recognition within and beyond Africa. Prof. Popoola is widely regarded for his clarity of thought, analytical depth, and ability to connect environmental issues with broader themes of national stability, economic development, and human well-being.

While welcoming the Distinguished Discussant and participants, the Chairman of ValidViewNetwork Advisory Board, Mr Lanre called for concerted efforts to rescue the forests from the grip of the intruders. Mr Lanre Ogundipe is a distinguished journalist by training and practice, former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and former President of the African Union of Journalists (AUJ).

As Nigeria battles rising insecurity and the expanding use of forests as criminal enclaves, Prof. Popoola’s message lands with unmistakable clarity: forest guards must not only be recruited — they must be trained, equipped, and professionally prepared. Anything less will leave the nation fighting a dangerous battle with blunt tools while criminals operate with precision.

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The future of Nigeria’s forests, and the safety of communities around them, depends on whether the country chooses competence over haste, structure over improvisation, and long‑term planning over short‑term reactions. In a time of crisis, Nigeria must decide whether it will continue flying blind or finally give its forest defenders the compass they need to navigate the storm, ValidViewNetwork reports.

ValidViewNetwork Media is the news and public‑interest communication arm of ValidViewNetwork Limited, established by Kayode Ogunjobi PhD, FHEA, FFAN, to amplify credible information, evidence‑based analysis, and solution‑driven discourse on issues that shape communities, institutions, and the environment. As part of the organisation’s broader mandate, ValidViewNetwork Media is committed to advancing environmental awareness, academic excellence, public safety, and sustainable development, serving as a trusted platform that bridges knowledge, policy, and societal well‑being through professional reporting and strategic communication