Yobe Gives 886 Forest Guards Motorcycles to Fight Insecurity

(Forest Guard. Photo by Blueprint News)

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has flagged off the distribution of 160 motorcycles and other security gear to 886 National Forest Guards.

The items are part of the state's Forest Guard Initiative.

The package also includes 900 raincoats, 900 pairs of boots, 900 blankets, 900 torches and 900 mosquito nets.

Secretary to the State Government Dr Mohammed Goje represented the governor at the ceremony in Government House, Damaturu.

He said the equipment will help the guards do their jobs better and protect lives and property.

Special Adviser on Security Matters Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd) said the Federal Government approved the forest guard scheme, and Yobe provided the first batch of 1,000 recruits as a pilot.

The recruits come from seven local government areas: Gulani, Gujba, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Bursari, Yunusari and Geidam.

The 886 guards finished initial training in December last year and have since done further training with the Nigerian Army.

Abdulsalam said the motorcycles will help the guards patrol forests and other areas vulnerable to attack.

He said the aim is to strengthen security in ungoverned areas and fight crime across the state.

Brig. Gen. M.S. Mukhtar, Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade, thanked Buni for the equipment.

He said it will improve mobility, widen patrol coverage and speed up responses to threats, boosting operations against terrorism, banditry and other crimes.