The Enugu State Government, led by Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has announced the commencement of the Forest Guard Corps recruitment screening exercise. The process, which will run from Monday, September 15 to Saturday, September 20, 2025, is designed to strengthen the state’s internal security and safeguard forests, farmlands, and rural communities.
According to the official statement, the exercise will be conducted in two phases across all 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State and at the Forest Guard Headquarters in Enugu.
Phase 1: Local Government Screening
- Dates: Monday, September 15 – Wednesday, September 17, 2025
- Venue: Local Government Council Headquarters in all 17 LGAs
- Focus: Verification of guarantor forms, community attestations, physical and medical fitness checks, documentation, and background validation.
Phase 2: Final Headquarters Screening
- Dates: Thursday, September 18 – Saturday, September 20, 2025
- Venue: Enugu State Forest Guard Headquarters, Enugu
- Focus: Senior-level verification, biometric capture, and oath form completion under the supervision of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, leading to the final shortlist for training.
Community and Stakeholder Roles
The recruitment has been designed as a community-driven and transparent process. Traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, and youth leaders will verify the origin, residency, and integrity of applicants. Representatives from CAN and PFN will serve as moral observers to ensure fairness, while health officials from the Ministry of Health will oversee medical checks. Security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and NSCDC will supervise the process to maintain credibility and discipline.
Required Documents
Applicants are expected to present approved forms and identification. Documents such as Annex A (Screening Guidelines), Annex B (Committee Membership Framework), and Eligibility Requirements have been distributed to all LGAs. Serving Forest Guard personnel are also required to complete the documentation for confirmation of their appointments beginning September 11, 2025.
Objectives of the Screening
The exercise seeks to:
- Recruit only credible and medically fit candidates.
- Ensure applicants are true indigenes and residents of their communities.
- Exclude individuals with criminal records or questionable backgrounds.
- Promote transparency, accountability, and fairness throughout the process.
- Strengthen synergy between community stakeholders and security agencies.
Call for Public Cooperation
The Enugu State Forest Guard Command urged all applicants to report promptly at their designated LGA headquarters with the required documents. Communities, health officials, and security agencies have also been called upon to discharge their roles with professionalism and integrity.
Speaking on the development, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and State Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, emphasized that the recruitment would build a professional, accountable, and community-oriented Forest Guard Service. The corps will complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, NSCDC, and other security agencies in protecting lives, property, and the environment in Enugu State.
This recruitment marks a historic milestone in Governor Peter Mbah’s drive to enhance security in Enugu State and ensure safer communities for residents.
