Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has assured 1,008 newly graduated Forest Guards of full government support, declaring that no road in the state is currently closed due to insecurity.
He gave the assurance on Friday during the passing-out parade and graduation ceremony of the personnel under the Presidential Forest Guard Initiative, held at People’s Square, Katsina.
Radda expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment and deployment of the Forest Guards, describing the initiative as an important step towards improving security, especially in vulnerable communities and forest areas.
The governor recalled that he had personally appealed to President Tinubu for urgent intervention following security challenges in some communities, including Matazu. He said the President responded by approving the recruitment and providing additional military support.
He explained that the Forest Guard Initiative would support existing security operations and help reclaim forests previously used by criminal groups as hideouts and operational bases. He also said his administration had maintained close cooperation with federal security agencies through intelligence sharing, joint operations and logistical support since May 2023.
“The same level of support and cooperation we have extended to other security agencies will also be extended to the National Forest Guards in Katsina State,” Radda said, assuring the personnel that the government would provide the necessary operational support.
The governor attributed the improving security situation to the combined efforts of conventional security agencies and community-based initiatives, particularly the Katsina State Community Watch Corps. He said markets had reopened, schools had resumed, commercial activities were returning and farmers were increasingly accessing their farmlands.
He added that the Forest Guards would work alongside the Community Watch Corps to strengthen security in rural communities and forest areas. He also highlighted government assistance to victims of insecurity through relief materials, medical support and financial assistance to affected families.
Radda commended the Nigerian Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies for their efforts. He urged the new graduates to respect human rights, maintain discipline and work closely with other security institutions and community leaders.
Earlier, the Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services, I. O. Shotayo, who represented the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, announced the immediate deployment of the graduates to vulnerable communities and strategic forest locations across Katsina State.
Shotayo described the initiative as a joint effort between the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Katsina State Government. He disclosed that Katsina was approximately the 14th state to conduct a graduation under the nationwide Presidential Forest Guard Initiative introduced by President Tinubu.
He explained that the Forest Guards would protect forests, wildlife, water resources and biodiversity while supporting national security operations through intelligence gathering and increased government presence in vulnerable areas. He also warned the graduates against misconduct, operational negligence and disloyalty, stressing the importance of professionalism and respect for civilians.
Also speaking, the Katsina Training Coordinator, Lieutenant Commandant George Aka, said all 1,008 trainees, including 18 women, had successfully completed an intensive training programme conducted by instructors from the National Park Service, Police, DSS, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service.
He said the training covered firearms handling, patrol operations, tactical movements, map reading, environmental conservation, protection of endangered species and emergency medical response. The graduates also underwent live-fire exercises, marksmanship assessments, obstacle-crossing drills and tactical exercises. Aka expressed confidence in their readiness to help protect lives, property and natural resources while addressing criminal activities such as banditry, cattle rustling and illegal logging.
