…18 Women Among Graduates; Markets, Schools, Hospitals Reopen in Several Communities
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Katsina State Government has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment, training and deployment of 1,008 National Forest Guards to the state, describing the initiative as a major boost to ongoing efforts to defeat insecurity and restore lasting peace.
The Honourable Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, expressed the appreciation following the successful graduation of the personnel, which includes 18 women, under the Presidential Forest Guard Initiative.
Mu’azu said the deployment represents a significant milestone in the state’s security drive, particularly in efforts to reclaim forests from criminal elements, protect vulnerable communities and prevent bandits from using remote locations as hideouts.
He noted that the intervention demonstrated President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and supporting the efforts of the Katsina State Government.
The commissioner also commended Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda for what he described as exceptional leadership, political will and sustained commitment to tackling insecurity through a combination of military operations and community-based interventions.
According to him, Governor Radda recognised from the beginning of his administration that insecurity in Katsina required a community-driven approach, leading to strategic investments in intelligence gathering, grassroots engagement and the establishment of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.
He recalled that the state government recruited the first batch of Community Watch Corps personnel in October 2023, initially deploying them to eight frontline local government areas: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume.
In November 2024, the administration recruited another 550 personnel under the second batch, extending security coverage to Kurfi, Charanchi, Dutsin-Ma, Matazu, Musawa, Malumfashi, Kafur, Bakori, Danja and Funtua.
The commissioner added that further recruitment and deployment exercises during 2025 and 2026 strengthened the initiative, particularly in Kankara and other vulnerable communities.
Mu’azu said the successive recruitment exercises reflected Governor Radda’s determination to establish a sustainable community-based security structure capable of complementing conventional security agencies.
Highlighting the gains recorded, the commissioner said several local government areas had experienced significant improvements in their security situations.
He listed Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Sabuwa, Kurfi, Kankara, Batagarawa, Katsina, Ingawa and Bindawa among the areas now considered peaceful, while Faskari, Dutsin-Ma, Danja and Kafur were described as relatively peaceful.
He further disclosed that the improving security situation had facilitated the reopening of markets, schools and medical facilities across the state, alongside the gradual return of commercial activities to previously affected communities.
Major roads have also reopened, while farmers are increasingly returning to their farmlands and the movement of people and goods is improving.
According to him, these developments are products of sustained security operations, intelligence-led interventions and increased community participation.
The commissioner expressed confidence that the deployment of the newly graduated 1,008 National Forest Guards would consolidate the gains and strengthen the fight against criminal activities across Katsina.
He explained that the Forest Guards would complement the operations of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Air Force and other security institutions.
With specialised training in forest surveillance, tactical operations, intelligence gathering and environmental protection, the personnel are expected to deny criminal elements safe havens, secure remote territories and prevent forests from being used as operational bases.
Their deployment, he added, would improve security coverage in difficult-to-access areas, particularly communities bordering vulnerable forest corridors.
Mu’azu also acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Director-General of the Department of State Services; the Federal Ministry of Environment; the National Park Service; Defence Headquarters and other participating security institutions towards the successful implementation of the initiative.
He expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and Katsina State Government would accelerate the restoration of peace and security.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state’s appreciation to President Tinubu for the strategic intervention, while praising Governor Radda for his resilience, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
He prayed for divine guidance for the nation’s leaders, protection for security personnel and lasting peace, stability and prosperity in Katsina State and Nigeria.
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