Governor Radda says new recruits will support security agencies in combating banditry and protecting remote communities.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security operations and combat banditry in Katsina State.
Governor Dikko Radda disclosed this on Tuesday after meeting with Islamic clerics and stakeholders at the Government House in Katsina, where community-based solutions to insecurity were discussed.
Radda said the forest guards would work alongside conventional security agencies and community watch groups to protect vulnerable areas, especially forested and remote communities.
The governor explained that tackling banditry requires the involvement of communities, noting that some locals have been linked to criminal networks through intelligence sharing and the disposal of stolen livestock.
He added that the state government had introduced measures including restrictions on motorcycle use, POS operations, informal charging points, and fuel sales in some affected areas to reduce criminal activities.
Radda expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for increasing the deployment of military, police, and Department of State Services personnel to the state, while urging residents to support security efforts.
He stressed that lasting peace requires cooperation between government, security agencies, religious leaders, and communities.