By The Gombe State contingent of newly recruited forest guards has arrived at the Mobile Police Training School in Osun State, where they have commenced specialised training aimed at strengthening security across the state’s forest reserves.
The recruits departed for the training after undergoing a rigorous screening exercise in Gombe. About 700 candidates were carefully vetted under the directive of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in preparation for the programme.
The training is designed to equip the forest guards with the skills and operational capacity needed to effectively protect forest reserves, curb criminal activities and support conventional security agencies in maintaining law and order within forested areas and surrounding communities.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Director-General of Press Affairs at the Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, said the initiative is part of the state government’s proactive strategy to tackle emerging security challenges.
He explained that the forest guards would receive intensive training in surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordination with established security agencies.
“The training of the forest guards is a strategic step by the Gombe State Government to strengthen security within our forests and rural communities. These areas have increasingly become vulnerable to criminal elements, and this initiative will help safeguard them,” Misilli said.
He added that the recruits were selected through a transparent screening process to ensure that only qualified and capable individuals participated in the programme.
“We are confident that at the end of this training, the forest guards will be well equipped to support existing security agencies in combating criminal activities and maintaining peace across the state,” he said.
Misilli further disclosed that Governor Yahaya approved N337 million to facilitate the training and cover logistics for the programme.
The initiative, according to the government, forms part of broader efforts to strengthen community-based security and protect natural resources across Gombe State.
