For many farmers in Edo State, going to the farm has become a risky journey. Stories of kidnappings, attacks, and fear in rural communities have left many families worried about their safety and livelihoods. Now, the state government says help is on the way.
The Edo Forest Guards initiative is being presented as a major step toward reclaiming forests and farmlands from criminals. State officials believe local recruits who understand the terrain could become one of the strongest weapons against insecurity.
Why Edo Is Turning to Local Forest Guards
The Edo Forest Guards programme is already underway, with recruits currently undergoing training before deployment to different parts of the state.
According to the Edo State Government, the guards were selected from indigenous communities and local government areas to take advantage of their deep knowledge of the forests, footpaths, and surrounding settlements.
Speaking during a pidgin English radio programme, As E De Hot on OJ FM, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, explained that the initiative was designed to strengthen security efforts in rural areas.
He said local residents have an edge because they understand the environment better than outsiders and can easily identify unusual movements or suspicious activities.
Ebojele noted that many families depend on farming to survive, making it necessary to secure farmlands and restore confidence among farmers who have become increasingly afraid of venturing into remote areas.
The government believes the Edo Forest Guards will work alongside conventional security agencies by improving surveillance and gathering intelligence from communities that have been vulnerable to criminal attacks.
Fresh Concerns After Benin Market Kidnapping
The announcement comes at a time when residents are still shaken by the abduction of a woman at the popular Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
Gunmen reportedly stormed the area on Sunday, dragged the victim into their vehicle, and escaped while firing gunshots into the air. The incident created panic among traders, shoppers, and road users who rushed for safety.
Ebojele said Governor Okpebholo immediately directed security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are arrested.
According to him, the Edo State Police Command has already begun investigations and is working to track down the suspects.
He assured residents that the government is treating the matter as a priority and promised that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
The governor’s spokesman also appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading exaggerated reports online, warning that sensational stories could cause unnecessary fear and interfere with ongoing security operations.
The success of the Edo Forest Guards initiative may depend largely on whether local intelligence can outsmart criminal networks operating in forests and isolated communities.
Kidnappings have become a major concern in several parts of Nigeria, forcing many farmers to abandon their lands and reducing agricultural activities.
If the programme works as planned, it could help farmers return to their fields without fear and improve food production across the state.
Security analysts have often argued that community-based policing models can be effective because residents are more likely to recognize strangers and identify unusual activities quickly.
However, observers say proper training, adequate funding, and strong coordination with police and other security agencies will be necessary to ensure the guards remain effective and accountable.
