Decentralized Security and Crime Control: Assessing the Effectiveness of Forest Guards in Kwara State, Nigeria

The persistence of insecurity and criminal activity in Nigeria has intensified debates over the limits of centralizedpolicing and the need for decentralized, community-based security arrangements. In Kwara State, theestablishment of Forest Guards represents a subnational response to forest-based crimes such as kidnapping,banditry, illegal logging, and illegal mining, which thrive in remote and weakly governed terrains. This studyassesses the effectiveness of Forest Guards in enhancing crime control and local security governance in Ifelodun, Asa, and Kaiama LGAs. Anchored in decentralized security governance and routine activity theory, the study adopts a mixed-methods design, combining survey data from 362 respondents across key stakeholder groups with secondary sources. Findings reveal that Forest Guards play important roles in patrol, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and community engagement. Respondents report moderate reductions in forest-based crimes through deterrence and improved monitoring. However, effectiveness is constrained by logistical, institutional, and legalchallenges, including inadequate equipment, poor welfare, and unclear statutory mandates. The study concludes that strengthening legal frameworks, coordination, and funding is essential for sustainable impact.