President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security operations in Katsina State.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda disclosed this while briefing newsmen after a meeting with Islamic clerics and other stakeholders at the Government House in Katsina on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Radda said the meeting was part of the state government’s efforts to tackle insecurity through community-driven solutions and greater stakeholder participation.
The governor stated that the engagement with religious leaders was aimed at obtaining their perspectives on the security challenges facing the state and exploring sustainable solutions to banditry and kidnapping.
“The purpose of this meeting is to hear directly from Islamic clerics, understand their perspectives on the current security challenges, and seek their advice on the way forward,” he said.
Radda stressed that insecurity could not be addressed by security agencies alone, noting that communities must play active roles in combating banditry and kidnapping.
Radda said investigations had shown that some residents were aiding criminal groups through intelligence sharing, logistics, and the sale of stolen livestock.
The governor said: “Most of their supply chains, information networks, and even the sale of stolen animals involve people living among us.
“This is why there is a need to sensitise the entire community so that everyone plays his/her part.
“Islamic clerics are critical partners in promoting moral values and mobilising communities against crime.”
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He said the Katsina State Government had continued to implement measures aimed at disrupting criminal activities, including banning the use of motorcycles in some affected local government areas such as Musawa and Matazu.
Radda added that the government had also restricted the use of Point of Sale (POS) machines and informal phone charging points in affected areas to curb criminal operations.
Radda further stated the sale of petroleum products had been restricted across the state to limit the operational capacity of bandits.
According to him, the measures were introduced after consultations with community leaders in the affected areas.
The governor also announced that the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 1,000 young men and women as forest guards to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies and community watch groups.
“I want to thank Mr. President for approving our request to recruit 1,000 young, able-bodied men and women as forest guards. They will work alongside conventional security agencies and community watch groups,” Radda added.
He said the recruits would be properly trained and equipped to safeguard communities, particularly in forested and remote areas of the state.