Reacting to the prosecution, critics described the move as harassment of citizens attempting to fill security gaps left by the state.
The Nigerian government has come under criticism over the prosecution of leaders of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), also known as forest guards, amid worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
Critics accused the Bola Tinubu-led government of targeting individuals who claimed to be helping communities combat terrorists, kidnappers and bandits ravaging forests and rural areas across the country.
The government had filed a seven-count criminal charge against seven leaders of the group before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal possession of firearms, operation of an unlawful security outfit and forgery of firearm licences.
The defendants named in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/285/2026 are Adewale Joshua Osatimehin, Major Abubakar A. Mohammed (Rtd), SP Okonkwo Lawrence (Rtd), Usman Muazu Abdullahi Yakasai, Maj. Sunday Akpa (Rtd), Jov Peter Charles and Kuku Akaa Reuben.
