KATSINA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Katsina State as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security and combat banditry and kidnapping, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has announced.
Governor Radda disclosed this while briefing journalists after a meeting with Islamic clerics and key stakeholders at the Government House in Katsina on Monday.
He said the forest guards would complement the operations of conventional security agencies and community watch groups in protecting forests and remote communities across the state.
“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 properly trained and equipped to effectively carry out their responsibilities in safeguarding lives and property.
Governor Radda also commended the Federal Government for increasing the deployment of military personnel, police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Katsina, describing the support as encouraging.
The governor said the meeting with Islamic clerics formed part of his administration’s efforts to develop community-driven solutions to insecurity, stressing that banditry and kidnapping could not be defeated through security operations alone.
“The purpose of this meeting was to hear directly from Islamic clerics, understand their perspectives on the current security challenges and seek their advice on the way forward,” he said.
He noted that investigations had shown that some members of local communities were assisting criminal groups through intelligence sharing and the sale of stolen livestock, making public participation essential to the fight against insecurity.
“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.
Governor Radda described Islamic clerics as important partners in promoting moral values and discouraging criminality, adding that their support was crucial to achieving lasting peace.
He also highlighted recent security measures introduced by the state government, including the ban on the use of motorcycles in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas, the closure of Point of Sale (POS) outlets and commercial phone charging points in the affected areas, and restrictions on the sale of petroleum products to disrupt criminal logistics.
The governor said the measures were introduced after consultations with community leaders and other stakeholders and would be complemented by continued public engagement.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with useful information, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of government, communities and individuals.
