The Katsina State Government has inaugurated 1,008 newly trained forest guards as part of efforts to strengthen security and combat banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.
The inauguration took place on Friday, November 13, 2026, during the guards’ graduation and passing-out ceremony held at the People’s Square, Government House, Katsina.
Speaking at the event, Governor Dikko Radda charged the newly deployed personnel to discharge their duties diligently and protect the state’s forest reserves from bandits, terrorists, cattle rustlers and illegal loggers.
Radda explained that the forest guards would work alongside the state’s 3,000 Community Watch Corps members, the Civilian Joint Task Force, local vigilantes and hunters to improve security in vulnerable forest communities.
He also assured the personnel of the state government’s commitment to providing the necessary support and equipment to enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
The governor lamented that forests which once served as sources of livelihood for surrounding communities had become hideouts for criminal elements. He, however, noted that ongoing security interventions by his administration had contributed to reducing banditry and terrorism in the state.
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He commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the establishment of forest guards across several states, describing the initiative as an important step towards securing the country’s forest areas.
Also speaking, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed that the newly graduated guards would be deployed immediately to vulnerable communities to gather intelligence, protect forest reserves and support ongoing security operations.
Ribadu, who was represented by former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), I.O. Shotoyo, urged the personnel to uphold discipline, professionalism and respect for human rights.
Meanwhile, the forest guards’ trainer, Lieutenant Colonel George Agar, disclosed that the 1,008 personnel comprised 990 men and 18 women who underwent eight weeks of intensive training.
According to him, the training covered combat operations, handling of AK-47 rifles, intelligence gathering, night operations, rescue of abducted persons and combating illegal tree felling.
The newly inaugurated personnel were reportedly recruited largely from communities located around forests affected by insecurity and are expected to commence operations immediately.
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