Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed the desire of the government to take over the forest from bandits with the plan to recruit 1,500 youths as Niger Forest Guards.
The governor made this known while speaking shortly after he met with the vigilante corps in the state.
“We intend to employ 1,500 youths into Niger forest guards so that we can take over the forest”, he said.
He disclosed that the state government has procured equipment for the corps as an encouragement and to enable them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.
The governor therefore lauded the vigilante corps in the state for complementing the efforts of the conventional security operatives in the task of protecting lives and property in the state.
The commander of the Vigilante Corps, DSP Alhassan Mohammed (rtd), described his men as gallant and that their vast knowledge of the terrain will complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies in combating banditry.
He said the desire to serve humanity and ensure security made them put their lives online and appealed for synergy between them and the conventional security agencies.
