Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq has announced the enlistment of 2,600 additional forest guards to support security agencies in tackling the rising security challenges across the state.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the governor’s special assistant, Olayinka Fafoluyi, Mr. AbdulRazaq visited the training facility for the new recruits to motivate both the trainees and their instructors, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding lives and property.
“The AbdulRazaq-led administration maintains that it is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to stabilise the troubled parts of the state. His presence at the facility is expected to further lift the morale of the trainees and reassure residents, especially those in communities affected by recent threats, that concrete steps are being taken to enhance safety and restore calm in rural areas,” the statement said.
Mr. Fafoluyi revealed that more than 700 forest guards have already been recruited, trained in basic military tactics, and deployed to work alongside security agencies to enhance surveillance and address security threats in the state.
He added that while the military continues operations to clear the ungoverned forest areas, the forest guards are tasked with ensuring that these areas remain inaccessible to criminal elements.
“This coordinated approach is aimed particularly at preventing bandits and kidnappers from returning to hideouts previously used to launch attacks on innocent residents,” the statement added.
The decision to recruit additional forest guards comes in the wake of renewed attacks, including killings and kidnappings, in Edu, Ifelodun, and other local government areas, prompting federal intervention with increased military presence. President Bola Tinubu has also ordered a comprehensive security cordon on forests in Kwara State following the recent spate of armed bandit attacks.
