President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Katsina State as part of efforts to strengthen security and combat banditry in communities vulnerable to attacks.
Governor Dikko Radda announced the approval on Tuesday after a meeting with Islamic clerics and other stakeholders on strategies to address insecurity in the state.
Katsina has remained one of the states most affected by banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling, particularly in rural communities bordering forests that serve as hideouts for criminal groups.
Radda described the approval as a significant boost to ongoing security operations and thanked the President for supporting the state’s efforts to restore peace.
“I want to appreciate Mr President for approving our request to recruit 1,000 young, able-bodied men and women as forest guards. They will work alongside conventional security agencies and community watch groups,” the governor said.
According to him, the recruits will be trained and deployed to remote communities and forest areas where armed groups frequently operate.
The governor also commended the Federal Government for increasing the deployment of military personnel, police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the state.
“The level of deployment we have seen from the military, police and DSS is highly encouraging. This is a coordinated effort we deeply appreciate,” he said.
Radda noted that the recruitment forms part of a broader strategy that combines military action with community participation and intelligence gathering.
He stressed that residents have a critical role to play in tackling insecurity, noting that criminal groups often rely on local support networks for information, logistics and the disposal of stolen livestock.
“Most of their supply chains, information networks and even the sale of stolen animals involve people living among us. This is why there is a need to sensitise the entire community so that everyone plays their part,” he said.
The governor added that the state government would continue implementing measures aimed at disrupting the activities of bandits. These include restrictions on motorcycle movement in some frontline local government areas, as well as controls on the sale, transportation and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans.
The latest security initiative comes amid intensified operations against armed groups across parts of Katsina State.
Radda urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through collective effort.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We urge all citizens to cooperate with authorities and contribute to peace in our communities,” he said.
