Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has presided over the passing-out parade and graduation ceremony of 1,008 forest guards recruited under the Presidential Forest Guard Initiative, as the Federal and Katsina State governments intensify efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
The ceremony, held at the People’s Square in Katsina on Friday, November 13, 2026, featured a parade inspection, slow march and demonstrations of operational skills acquired by the trainees during their training programme.
The graduation marks the completion of the recruits’ training and their readiness to complement existing security agencies in protecting vulnerable communities, particularly those located around forests and other difficult-to-access areas.
The forest guards are expected to support security operations through surveillance, intelligence gathering and cooperation with conventional security agencies to tackle criminal groups operating in remote communities.
The Presidential Forest Guard Initiative was introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2025 as part of the Federal Government’s strategy to reclaim forests being used as hideouts by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
The programme is coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with relevant security and environmental agencies, including the Department of State Services, National Park Service, Defence Headquarters and other security institutions.
In December 2025, the Federal Government announced the graduation of more than 7,000 forest guards recruited from seven frontline states: Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi.
The trainees underwent an intensive three-month programme covering physical conditioning, forest operations, tactical fieldcraft, patrol simulations, rescue operations, arms handling, human rights and the protection of civilians.
The initiative is designed to provide additional security coverage in forested territories and enable security agencies to benefit from the local knowledge of personnel familiar with the communities and terrain where they are deployed.
Katsina’s participation in the programme follows President Tinubu’s approval in June 2026 for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for the state.
Governor Radda announced the approval after a meeting with Islamic clerics and other stakeholders at the Government House in Katsina, where discussions focused on community-driven approaches to tackling insecurity.
At the time, the governor said the recruits would be trained and properly equipped to work alongside conventional security agencies and community watch groups.
He commended President Tinubu for approving the request, describing the intervention as an important contribution to the state’s efforts to restore peace and protect communities affected by banditry and kidnapping.
Katsina had also taken steps to strengthen forest surveillance before the latest graduation. In January 2026, the state government announced the deployment of 70 forest guards to protect forest reserves and stock routes.
The state government said the personnel would help strengthen surveillance and protect public forest estates, while supporting efforts to recover land and prevent criminal activities in vulnerable locations.
The graduation of 1,008 personnel represents another significant stage in the state’s efforts to expand its security presence in forested and rural communities.
Katsina has continued to face security challenges involving banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling, particularly in communities bordering forest areas. The state’s security response has involved collaboration between the Federal Government, military, police, intelligence agencies, local security structures and community leaders.
The forest guards are expected to serve as an additional layer within this security arrangement rather than replace the statutory responsibilities of the military and other conventional security agencies.
As the newly graduated personnel prepare for operational responsibilities, their effectiveness will depend on adequate equipment, clear command and coordination arrangements, reliable intelligence, continuous training and respect for the rights of residents.
The graduation ceremony underscores the Federal Government’s wider effort to strengthen security operations and prevent criminal groups from using Nigeria’s forests as safe havens.
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