Yobe Equips 886 Forest Guards With Motorcycles, Security Gear

Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has flagged off the distribution of 160 motorcycles and other security equipment to 886 National Forest Guards to strengthen security operations and improve the protection of life and property across the state.

The items, distributed under the state government’s Forest Guard Initiative, also include 900 raincoats, 900 pairs of boots, 900 blankets, 900 torches and 900 mosquito nets.

The governor, represented by the secretary to the state government (SSG), Dr Mohammed Goje, said the intervention demonstrated the government’s commitment to equipping the personnel for effective service delivery.

At the ceremony at the Government House, Damaturu, Goje said the equipment would enhance the operational capacity of the guards deployed to various locations across the state.

“On behalf of the executive governor of Yobe State, I am very pleased to flag off the distribution of these important items to enhance service delivery and protect life and property,” he said.

The special adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig- General Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd), said the Federal Government approved the establishment of the forest guard initiative, with Yobe providing the first batch of 1,000 recruits under the pilot scheme.

He said the recruits were drawn from seven local government areas: Gulani, Gujba, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Bursari, Yunusari and Geidam.

According to him, the 886 recruits completed their initial training in December last year before undergoing further training with the Nigerian Army to strengthen their operational skills.

Abdulsalam said the motorcycles would improve the guards’ mobility and enable them to conduct effective patrols in forest areas and other locations vulnerable to security threats.

He added that the initiative was aimed at strengthening security presence in ungoverned spaces and supporting efforts to tackle criminal activities across the state.

Also speaking, the Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General M.S. Mukhtar, commended Buni for providing the motorcycles and other essential equipment to the forest guards operating under the brigade.

Mukhtar described the intervention as a force multiplier that would enhance mobility, expand patrol coverage and improve rapid response to security threats.

He said the equipment would further strengthen ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities in Yobe State.