President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Katsina State. Governor Dikko Radda announced the move on Tuesday after meeting with Islamic clerics and stakeholders on insecurity.

The guards will work alongside the military, police, and community watch groups. Radda said they'll be trained and equipped to support security operations in remote, forested areas where criminal groups hide.

Katsina has been battling banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling for years. Armed groups use the state's vast forests as bases for attacks on villages and highways.

The approval adds to Katsina's community-based security initiatives. The state already runs a Community Watch Corps, a locally recruited outfit that helps with intelligence gathering and surveillance.

Radda thanked the Federal Government for deploying more military, police, and DSS personnel to the 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," he said.

But the governor stressed that security forces alone can't win the fight. He said criminal groups rely on support from within communities — people who move supplies, provide information, or help sell 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," Radda said.

He described Islamic clerics as key partners in promoting values that discourage criminal behaviour. The meeting with them was meant to hear their perspectives and seek advice on lasting peace.

Radda also announced recent executive actions to disrupt bandit operations. Motorcycles have been banned in Musawa and Matazu local government areas, where security forces recently launched Operation CLEAN SWEEP III.

The operation followed the abduction and death in captivity of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information. Security agencies have since intensified operations in those areas.

The state has also restricted the use of POS machines and informal charging points that criminals use to access funds. And on Monday, an emergency security meeting led to a ban on selling, transporting, or storing petroleum products in jerrycans — a move to cut off fuel supplies to bandits in the forests.

Radda said these measures were adopted after consultations with community leaders from affected areas. "We will continue to engage all stakeholders to ensure peace and stability," he said.

The 1,000 new forest guards are expected to begin recruitment and training soon. They'll be young, able-bodied men and women drawn from local communities who know the terrain.

  • 1,000 forest guards approved for Katsina
  • State already runs Community Watch Corps
  • Motorcycles banned in Musawa and Matazu LGAs
  • POS machines and informal charging points restricted
  • Sale of petrol in jerrycans banned
  • Operation CLEAN SWEEP III ongoing after Major General Abubakar's death