About 1,000 forest guards have completed their training and held a passing-out parade in Kwara State ahead of their deployment to combat terrorism, kidnapping, illegal mining and other criminal activities.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the initiative as a game changer, saying it would force terrorists and kidnappers to either leave the state or face severe consequences.

Speaking at the parade held in Ilorin on Saturday, the governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he called an “innovative approach” to reclaiming Nigeria’s forests from criminal elements and strengthening public safety.

AbdulRazaq also praised security agencies for their commitment to protecting lives and property, noting that collaboration with the newly trained forest guards drawn from local communities would further strengthen security operations.

He said the passing-out ceremony marked a new phase in the state’s campaign against terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes perpetrated by criminal groups exploiting vast forest areas.

According to him, the enlistment of armed forest guards to complement existing security forces demonstrated the government’s resolve to rid the country of banditry and related crimes.

The governor warned that criminals operating in the forests now faced a clear choice: leave Kwara State or pay a heavy price, stressing that the government had decided to go on the offensive to secure peace for residents.

Addressing the guards, AbdulRazaq said they were embarking on a national assignment and urged them to work closely with security agencies to flush out criminals, restore sanity in forest areas and make communities safer.

He assured them of the state government’s continuous support, explaining that the forest guards would operate as auxiliary forces under the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services.

AbdulRazaq disclosed that the state plans to ensure that each local government area has at least 200 forest guards who will work with local vigilantes to protect lives and property.

He thanked the National Security Adviser, security agencies and all personnel involved in the rigorous training programme.

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the newly trained forest guards would be deployed immediately to strengthen communities, particularly around forested and ungoverned areas.

Ribadu explained that the Presidential Forest Guards initiative is a joint effort between the federal and state governments, with pilot states including Adamawa, Borno, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Yobe.

He said the guards have a dual mandate of protecting forest ecosystems and serving as force multipliers in the national security architecture to combat bandits, insurgents and terrorists.

Represented by the Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services, Femi Shotayo, Ribadu said the guards are also expected to gather actionable intelligence, support security operations and restore government presence in areas long abandoned to criminals.

He added that their deployment would be immediate and accompanied by prompt payment of salaries and allowances.

The NSA urged the guards to uphold their oath of allegiance, respect human rights and adhere strictly to the rules of engagement taught during their training. (Weekend Trust)

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