Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has cautioned newly trained forest guards against using their training to intimidate or harass peace-loving members of the public.
Fintiri gave the charge on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of 987 forest guards held at the General Murtala Mohammed College (GMMC), Yola. He was represented at the event by his Deputy, Prof. Kaletapwa George Farauta.
The governor urged the graduands to see themselves as privileged citizens called to serve their communities and the nation, stressing the need for professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights in the discharge of their duties.
Prof. Farauta commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for coordinating and supervising the forest guard initiative, describing it as a critical intervention in strengthening grassroots security and environmental protection.
She also called on residents of the state to support and cooperate with the forest guards deployed to their communities to ensure the success of the programme.
Fintiri assured of the Adamawa State Government’s continued support for the initiative.
“On my part, I wish to assure you of the continuous support of the Adamawa State Government for this initiative. May God increasingly grant us peace and security in Adamawa State, Nigeria and indeed the world,” he said.
Earlier, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the forest guard initiative represents a fusion of environmental protection with national security objectives.
Ribadu, who was represented by Col. E. E. Eswagu, noted that protecting forests is central to reclaiming territories and securing lives and livelihoods.
“By protecting forests, we are reclaiming our territory. By reclaiming our territory, we are securing our people and their future,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his office to ensuring the success of the programme and assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of its alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The NSA’s office announced the immediate payment of salaries and allowances, as well as the deployment of the graduating forest guards, to enhance operational readiness and boost morale.
The recruitment of the forest guards followed a nationwide security emergency declaration by President Tinubu, who directed the military and police to recruit additional personnel to strengthen security across the country.
