Governor Deploys 2,187 Forest Guards to Strengthen Security, Protect Natural Resources
The Bauchi State Government has deployed 2,187 forest guards across the state as part of a multi-layered strategy to reclaim forested areas from bandits, kidnappers, and illegal loggers, while protecting critical natural resources.
The forest guards were recruited from their respective local government areas to leverage terrain familiarity and community trust. Each guard will operate within his own LGA to “strengthen their commitment to protecting their immediate environment”.
The personnel underwent intensive training in physical fitness, firearms handling, tactical fieldcraft, ambush response, and rescue operations to prepare them for sustained forest operations.
They also received instruction on human rights, international humanitarian law, gender rights, and protection of civilians, with arms use strictly regulated under a jointly agreed arms management manual.
Part of federal, state collaboration
The Bauchi deployment aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a national forest guard system, which directs states to recruit 2,000 to 5,000 guards each depending on capacity.
Nationwide, the Federal Government has trained and deployed over 7,000 forest guards as first responders to hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in forested and ungoverned areas.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu said there will be “no delay between graduation and deployment,” with salaries and allowances commencing immediately and every certified guard proceeding directly to assigned duty posts. The programme recorded a 98.2% completion rate nationally.
Bauchi’s forests have become havens for criminals. High-profile criminal activities have been reported in Burra-Lame forest in Ningi LGA, which connects to Toro LGA mountains and the wide Yankari forest in Alkaleri LGA.
Forest guards say bandits kidnapping for ransom have affected operations, though recent joint military operations destroyed several hideouts around Yankari Game Reserve.
Governor Bala Mohammed had earlier approved the recruitment of 2,000 operatives for the Nigeria Forest Security Service, NFSS, and provided N150 million for arms and ammunition to support the organization.
NFSS Commander-General Dr. Joshua Osatimehin credited the governor’s support with reducing “crime and criminality in Bauchi state over the years… to almost zero level,” calling Bauchi “one of the most peaceful states in Northern Nigeria”.
Governor Mohammed disclosed this week that ongoing joint military operations have “neutralised hundreds of bandits and dismantled several camps” in forest areas of Bauchi and neighbouring states.
Coordinated ground and aerial operations forced many criminal elements to flee, significantly weakening armed groups.
The scale of bandit presence in areas like Dajin Madam forest and parts of neighbouring Taraba exceeded initial estimates, but those enclaves have been “disrupted and largely dismantled”.
Hundreds of motorcycles were destroyed, supply routes cut off, and multiple camps bombarded.
The governor said security agencies will sustain the offensive through continuous surveillance and rapid response to prevent regrouping.
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