The Katsina State Government has taken a major step toward strengthening environmental security with the deployment of 70 forest guards to boost surveillance and safeguard forest reserves and stock routes across the state.
In addition to the deployment, the government has successfully recovered over 322,591 hectares of forest estates previously lost to encroachment and illegal activities.
The Chairman of the State Taskforce Committee on Recovery of Forest Reserves and Stock Routes, Khalil Bako, disclosed this on Thursday, the 1st of January, 2026, during an orientation programme organised for the newly recruited forest guards in Katsina.
Bako revealed that several cases linked to forest encroachment and related offences have already been documented and forwarded for prosecution.
He explained that the recruitment and deployment of the forest guards were specifically designed to reinforce monitoring efforts and ensure effective protection of forest reserves and stock routes throughout the state.
According to him, Katsina has emerged as the first state in the country to replicate the Federal Government’s forest guard initiative, doing so barely four days after the inauguration of 7,000 forest guards nationwide.
Bako noted that the swift adoption of the programme reflects the proactive and decisive leadership style of Governor Dikko Radda’s administration.
He further stated that the recruitment of the forest guards aligns with the constitutional authority of the governor as stipulated in Sections 5(2) and 208 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The forest guards initiative will strengthen the protection of forest reserves against illegal logging, encroachment and other activities inimical to the environment and security,” he said.
Describing the occasion as a landmark achievement, Bako said it underscored the state government’s resolve to promote environmental protection, ensure sustainable forest management, curb the activities of illegal chainsaw operators, and enhance overall security.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr Faisal Umar-Kaita, praised Bako for his resilience and dedication to the taskforce’s mandate.
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Umar-Kaita attributed much of the insecurity in the state to ungoverned forest spaces, which he said had become safe havens for criminal elements.
He emphasized that the forest guards would play a vital role in securing forest areas and ensuring the timely reporting and response to any illegal activities.
“The forest guards initiative addresses years of neglect of our forest reserves by ensuring proper monitoring and control,” he said.
The commissioner also highlighted the importance of the taskforce’s forest recovery efforts as part of broader strategies aimed at tackling insecurity in the state.
The event was marked by the unveiling of the Taskforce Committee Secretariat, signaling the commencement of full operations.