By RismadarVoice Media
December 28, 2025
Kebbi State has bolstered its security architecture with the graduation of 819 National Forest Guards trained to secure forest reserves, deny criminal elements safe havens across the state.
The guards passed out on Saturday after an intensive nine-week training programme at Kalgo Local Government Area, amid renewed calls for community cooperation, intelligence sharing to strengthen security operations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Tafida, urged residents, traditional rulers, community leaders to work closely with the newly recruited guards, stressing that grassroots support remains vital to the fight against banditry, other forest-based crimes.
The forest guards underwent rigorous training 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, reflecting a coordinated national security effort.
Tafida said the new personnel would complement existing security formations, prevent criminals from using 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 deployment of the guards would begin immediately across ungoverned spaces and vulnerable forest corridors.
He revealed 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 among the local government areas chosen in the state.
As deployment commences, residents have expressed optimism that the initiative will significantly weaken bandit networks, restore safety to rural communities long threatened by criminal activity
