Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd./GTE (SOJA) has called on the Federal Government to grant amnesty to members of the Forest Guards facing prosecution for alleged illegal security operations and unlawful possession of firearms.
In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, SOJA Executive Director Hameed Jimoh said the affected guards should be rehabilitated and integrated into Nigeria’s security architecture rather than criminalised.
The call follows reports that the Federal Government filed a seven-count charge against leaders of the Forest Guards linked to the Nigeria Forest Security Service, NFSS, over unauthorised security activities and possession of locally made pistols.
SOJA acknowledged the government’s mandate to regulate arms and maintain national security but argued that prosecution should not overshadow the need for innovative responses to worsening insecurity.
“Nigeria presently faces unprecedented security challenges,” the group said, citing attacks by terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to SOJA, many citizens have resorted to self-help and community security arrangements due to inadequate protection in vulnerable areas, particularly forest communities and remote settlements. The group said available reports indicate the recovered weapons were used to protect individuals, public agencies, and private institutions.
While noting that such actions may fall outside legal frameworks, SOJA said they appeared motivated by efforts to fill security gaps in underserved communities. It drew comparisons with past government reintegration policies for repentant insurgents and former combatants, arguing that fairness demands a similar approach for the Forest Guards.
The group urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to review and withdraw the charges. It also called for a formal framework to screen and verify members, retrain suitable personnel, and deploy them to support intelligence gathering and anti-banditry operations.
SOJA said individuals familiar with forest terrains and local communities could become strategic assets in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and organised crime if properly regulated and supervised.
The group added that national security policy should balance accountability with opportunities for reform, rehabilitation, and constructive engagement where it serves the public interest.
The controversy comes amid ongoing debate over the role of vigilante groups and community-based security outfits in addressing Nigeria’s security crisis. Stakeholders remain divided on whether such groups should be formalised, regulated, or prosecuted.
