President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Katsina State in a renewed effort to combat banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-West state.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, announced the development after a strategic engagement with Islamic clerics and key stakeholders at the Government House in Katsina on Tuesday.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Governor Radda said the gathering was convened to seek the perspectives of religious leaders on the prevailing security challenges and identify sustainable, community-driven solutions to insecurity.
“The purpose of this meeting was to hear directly from Islamic clerics, to understand their perspectives on the current security challenges, and to seek their advice on the way forward,” the governor said.
Radda stressed that the fight against banditry and kidnapping cannot be left solely to security agencies, insisting that communities must actively support efforts to restore peace.
“This problem cannot be solved only through the efforts of security agencies. Individuals and communities have very important roles to play in curbing banditry and kidnapping,” he stated.
According to the governor, investigations and security assessments have shown that some members of local communities aid criminal groups by providing intelligence, logistics and channels for disposing of stolen livestock.
“Most of their supply chains, information networks, and even the sale of stolen animals involve people living among us. This is why there is a need to sensitise the entire community so that everyone plays their part,” he explained.
Governor Radda described Islamic clerics as critical partners in promoting moral values and social responsibility needed to address the root causes of insecurity.
“Clerics play a vital role in guiding the moral values of society. We presented the challenges to them and sought their counsel as we work toward lasting solutions,” he added.
The governor highlighted measures already implemented by his administration to disrupt criminal operations. These include restrictions on motorcycle use in frontline local government areas such as Musawa and Matazu, limitations on Point of Sale (POS) operations, and controls on informal charging points believed to facilitate criminal activities.
He also disclosed that restrictions had been placed on the sale of petroleum products to limit access to supplies often used by armed groups operating from remote locations.
According to him, these measures were introduced following consultations with community leaders and stakeholders in affected areas.
In what he described as a major boost to ongoing security efforts, Radda announced that President Tinubu had approved the state’s request to recruit 1,000 young men and women as forest guards.
“I want to appreciate Mr President for approving our request to recruit 1,000 young, non-disabled men and women as forest guards. They will work alongside conventional security agencies and community watch groups,” he said.
The governor explained that the forest guards would receive adequate training and equipment to secure forests and other difficult terrains that have frequently served as hideouts for criminal elements.
He further commended the Federal Government for increasing the deployment of military personnel, police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Katsina State.
“The level of deployment we have seen from the military, police, and DSS is highly encouraging. This is a coordinated effort we deeply appreciate,” Radda said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, emphasising that maintaining peace and security is a shared responsibility.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We urge all citizens to cooperate with authorities and contribute to peace in our communities,” the governor stated.
Leave a Reply