Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has graduated over 1,000 Armed Forest Guards to boost the state’s fight against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes, describing the initiative as a major step toward improving community security.
The newly trained personnel, drawn from the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS), completed specialised training conducted in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS). They will serve as first responders in their communities, working alongside conventional security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and prevent criminals from using forests as hideouts.
Governor Sani said the forest guards will be equipped with higher-grade firearms under approved rules of engagement, enabling them to better confront armed criminals. He added that their familiarity with local communities and terrain will improve surveillance and response to security threats.
The governor disclosed that Kaduna was the first state to seek Federal Government support for establishing and training armed forest guards, adding that the National Security Adviser described the programme as the most successful of its kind in the country. He also announced plans to train an additional 1,000 Armed Forest Guards to further strengthen the state’s security architecture.
Daily Times
