The Bauchi State Government has deployed a new security force of 2,176 trained forest guards and vigilantes in a sweeping move aimed at strengthening surveillance and flushing out criminal elements hiding within forest reserves across the state.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Police Training School (PTS), Yelwa, signals a renewed push by the state government to secure rural communities and deny criminals safe havens in remote areas.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Bala Mohammed, Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau said the initiative was designed to reinforce forest surveillance, protect natural resources, and enhance community safety.
He noted that while forests remain essential for biodiversity and local livelihoods, they have increasingly been exploited by criminals for illegal activities.
“The government approved this rigorous training to strengthen surveillance, protect our forest reserves, and safeguard national resources,” the governor stated.
He added that the programme also serves as a job creation initiative for youths, particularly in rural communities where unemployment has remained high.
Governor Mohammed, however, cautioned the newly recruited personnel against misconduct, warning that the administration would not tolerate any form of compromise or collaboration with criminal groups.
He urged local government councils, traditional rulers and community leaders to support the newly established Forest Guard Corps in their operations.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, charged the operatives to strictly adhere to the rule of law and uphold human rights in the discharge of their duties.
He said the effectiveness of the new security outfit would depend on discipline, professionalism and integrity in the field.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, retired DIG Sani Mohammed, said the deployment would extend government presence to previously underserved and difficult-to-access communities.
He assured the guards of continued government backing, including regular training and capacity-building programmes to improve operational efficiency.
The Commandant of the Police Training School, Abdullahi Umar Tambuwal, revealed that the 2,176 recruits underwent intensive training in civilian protection, intelligence gathering, and health and safety protocols.
He thanked the state government for its collaboration with the training school and appealed for urgent infrastructural upgrades to enhance future training exercises.
Tambuwal listed priority needs to include renovation of dormitories, construction of lecture halls, rehabilitation of the parade ground, provision of boreholes, and additional operational vehicles.
The initiative is expected to significantly boost rural security operations and strengthen the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across Bauchi State.
