President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to support security operations in Katsina State, targeting banditry and kidnapping in forest reserves and isolated communities. The approval was announced by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, during a meeting with Islamic clerics and stakeholders at the Government House in Katsina.

Governor Radda said the federal approval came after consultations with community leaders and security agencies aimed at cutting off logistics and intelligence channels allegedly used by criminal groups. He explained that investigations showed some locals assist bandits through information sharing and disposal of stolen livestock, making community involvement crucial to ending the crisis.

“The problem cannot be solved only through the efforts of security agencies. Individuals and communities have very important roles to play in curbing banditry and kidnapping,” Radda stated. He noted that the 1,000 guards will work alongside conventional security agencies and community watch groups in forested and remote areas of the state.

The move is part of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative launched by Tinubu to secure Nigeria’s 1,129 designated forests and flush out terrorists, bandits, and criminal gangs. The programme is being implemented jointly by the federal and state governments, with the Office of the National Security Adviser supervising recruitment and training.

Alongside the forest guards, the Katsina government has issued an Executive Order banning the sale and transportation of petroleum products in jerrycans across the state, and ordered the closure of Point of Sale businesses and commercial phone charging points in Matazu and Musawa LGAs. Officials said the measures are designed to disrupt supply lines and communication networks exploited by armed groups.

Governor Radda thanked the president for the support and the increased deployment of military, police, and DSS personnel to Katsina, describing it as a coordinated effort to restore peace.

Sources: Arise news,Prime Time News, State House.