The Yobe State Government has distributed 160 motorcycles and other operational items to 886 forest guards deployed to support security operations across the state
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Muhammad Goje, announced the distribution on Tuesday, saying the items were intended to improve the working conditions and operational capacity of the personnel
The items include 900 raincoats, 900 pairs of rain boots, 900 blankets, 900 torchlights and 900 mosquito nets
Goje said the intervention was made on behalf of Governor Mai Mala Buni to provide additional security support and strengthen the protection of lives and property in the state
The Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade, Buni-Gari, Brigadier General MS. Mukhtar, described the donation as a force multiplier that would enhance the operational effectiveness of the forest guards.
He said the motorcycles would improve mobility, extend patrol coverage and strengthen rapid response to security threats, particularly terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities in the state
He urged the forest guards to make judicious use of the equipment, particularly the motorcycles, in line with the purposes for which they were provided
The brigade commander assured residents that the military and other security agencies were working to improve security across the state
He also appealed for additional support to strengthen operations and enable residents to carry out their daily activities without fear
Earlier, the governor’s Security Adviser, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd), said Yobe was allocated an initial batch of 1,000 forest guards under a Federal Government pilot scheme
He said the recruits were drawn from seven frontline local government areas: Gulani, Gujba, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Bursari, Yunusari and Geidam
According to him, 886 personnel successfully completed their training in December 2025 before undergoing further training under the Nigerian Army
Abdulsalam said the personnel were deployed to various locations in March 2026 under the mentorship of the military, particularly the 27 Task Force Brigade
He explained that the forest guards were established to help security agencies tackle criminal activities in forested areas and ungoverned spaces used by insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals
The security adviser commended Governor Buni for the support but appealed for additional communication equipment, surveillance devices for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, and vehicles for administrative duties and patrols
He also called on the governor to approve the recruitment of another 1,000 forest guards to strengthen the force and extend its operations to other parts of the state