The Katsina State Government has inaugurated 1,008 forest guards as part of efforts to strengthen security and tackle the activities of bandits and other criminal elements across the state.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda inaugurated the newly trained personnel on Friday at the People’s Square, Government House, Katsina, during a passing-out ceremony.
The governor urged the forest guards to demonstrate patriotism, commitment and professionalism in carrying out their responsibilities, particularly in protecting forests against bandits, terrorists, cattle rustlers and illegal loggers.
Radda said the newly recruited personnel would work alongside about 3,000 members of the state’s Community Watch Corps (CWC), other security agencies, local vigilantes and hunters to secure forest areas across the state.
He assured them that his administration would provide the necessary equipment to enable them to discharge their duties effectively and protect both forest reserves and neighbouring communities.
The governor recalled that Katsina’s forests were previously sources of livelihood for surrounding communities but had gradually turned into hideouts for bandits and other criminal elements.
However, he noted that security interventions by his administration, particularly the establishment of the Community Watch Corps and support for federal security agencies, had significantly reduced banditry and terrorist activities in the state and its forests.
Radda also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the establishment of forest guards across the country, describing the initiative as an important step towards restoring peace and securing Nigeria’s forests.
Speaking at the ceremony, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, said the 1,008 forest guards would be deployed immediately to security-challenged areas to gather intelligence, protect forests and support efforts to combat criminal activities.
Ribadu, who was represented by a former Deputy Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), I.O. Shotayo, urged the personnel to maintain discipline, professionalism and respect for human rights while carrying out their duties.
He expressed confidence that the forest guards would discharge their responsibilities with courage, honesty and integrity to restore lasting security across the country’s forest reserves.
In his remarks, the Commander who supervised the training, Lieutenant Colonel George Agar, disclosed that the 1,008 personnel comprised 990 men and 18 women, who underwent eight weeks of intensive training.
He said the training covered combat tactics, the use of AK-47 rifles, counter-terrorism operations, rescue of kidnapped victims, intelligence gathering, night operations and measures to prevent illegal logging.
The report added that most of the personnel were recruited from communities surrounding forests that have been severely affected by insecurity, with the guards expected to commence operations immediately.
