JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd./GTE (SOJA) has called on the federal government to grant amnesty to members of the rangers who face prosecution for alleged illegal security operations and illegal possession of firearms.
In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, 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 news that the Federal Government has laid a seven-count indictment against leaders of forest guards linked to the Nigeria Forest Security Service, NFSS, for unauthorized security activities and possession of locally made pistols.
SOJA recognized the government’s mandate to regulate arms and maintain national security, but argued that judicial proceedings should not overshadow the need for innovative responses to worsening insecurity.
“Nigeria is currently facing unprecedented security challenges,” the group said, citing attacks by terrorists, kidnappers and bandits in 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 in forest communities and remote settlements. The group said available reports indicate that the recovered weapons were used to protect individuals, public agencies and private institutions.
While stressing that such actions may fall outside legal frameworks, SOJA said they appear motivated by efforts to close safety gaps in disadvantaged communities. He drew comparisons with the government’s previous reintegration policies for repentant rebels and ex-combatants, arguing that fairness requires a similar approach for forest rangers.
The group urged the Attorney General of the Federation to review and withdraw the charges. It also called for a formal framework to select and verify members, retrain suitable personnel and deploy them to support intelligence gathering and anti-banditry operations.
SOJA said individuals familiar with forest lands and local communities could become strategic assets in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and organized 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 arises in the context of the ongoing debate over the role of vigilante groups and community-level security bodies in addressing Nigeria’s security crisis. Stakeholders remain divided on whether such groups should be formalized, regulated or prosecuted.
