Kebbi State has strengthened its security architecture with the graduation of 819 National Forest Guards trained to protect forest reserves from criminal elements.
The guards passed out after an intensive nine-week training programme at Kalgo Local Government Area, amid renewed calls on Nigerians to support security agencies with timely intelligence and cooperation.
Speaking at the ceremony on Saturday, Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Tafida, urged communities and traditional rulers to work closely with the newly recruited guards, stressing that local support remains critical to defeating banditry and other forest-based crimes.
The newly trained personnel were drilled in early warning signals, patrol operations, ambush tactics and the handling of AK-47 rifles.
Their training was jointly supervised by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the military, underscoring a coordinated national security approach.
Tafida said the forest guards would complement existing security formations and help deny criminals the use of forest reserves as hideouts and operational bases.
Representing the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, at the event, Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, disclosed that the guards would be deployed immediately to ungoverned spaces and vulnerable forest corridors.
Hadejia explained that Kebbi is one of seven states selected for the pilot phase of the National Forest Guard initiative, with Arewa, Augie, Dandi and Danko-Wasagu selected out of the state’s 21 LGAs.
“These newly trained forest guards will be deployed immediately to ungoverned spaces and vulnerable forest corridors.
“Kebbi is one of the seven states selected to pilot the phase of the National Forest Guard initiative with three local governments.”
As deployment begins, residents across Kebbi State are hopeful that the presence of the forest guards will significantly weaken bandit networks and restore safety to rural communities long threatened by criminal activity.
