The Katsina State Government on Friday afternoon inaugurated 1,008 Forest Guards with call on them to be diligent in keeping state’s forest reserves safe against bandits, terrorists, rustlers, and illegel tree fellers.

Speaking during the guards’ graduation and passing out ceremony, held at the People’s Square, Government House; Governor Dikko Radda urged them to be good ambassadors of the country and people they represent.

Radda said the forest guards would work closely with the state-owned about 3,000 Community Watch Corps (CWC) members, as well as Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), vigilantes and hunters, to keep the security-prone forest areas from the activities of hoodlums.

He assured that the state government would provide the forest guards with whatever they need to make their work easier, and to ensure that they fully carry out their responsibilities in protecting the forest areas across the state.

He said for too long, the state’s forest reserves which used to sustain residents of sorrounding communities, had become places of terror where non-state actors held sway.

He, however, said efforts made by his administration, including setting up the CWC, and supporting conventional security operatives, have largely led to significant reduction in banditry and terrorism in the state and its forests.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his foresight in estabshing the forest guard in several states across the country, adding that the effort would go a long way to securing the nation’s forest areas.

Speaking, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, said the 1,008 forest guards would be immediately deployed to beleaguered communities where they’ll gather intelligence, protect the forest reserves, among other related responsibilities.

Represented by a former Assistant Director, Department of State Security (DSS), I.O Shotoyo; Ribadu charged the forest guards to uphold discipline, professionalism, and have regard for human rights.

“The nation counts on you. We expect you to serve with courage, disciple and integrity such that you will be able to reclaim every inch of our forests,” he said.

The forest guards trainer, Lt. Col. George Agar, said the 1, 008 personnel, consisting 18 women and 990 men, were trained for a period of eight weeks in various combat situations, as well as handling of AK-47 rifles.

Agar said the training would enable them to confront suspected terrorists and rescue abducted persons, gather intelligence, operate under darkness, check illegal tree felling, among other related expertise.

Our correspondent reports that the forest guards were mostly drawn from forest-area communities affected by insecurity, and are expected to resume duties with immediate effect. (The Guardian)