By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
The Yobe Government has donated 160 motorcycles and other operational equipment to forest guards as part of efforts to tackle insurgency.
Dr Mohammed Goje, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), disclosed this while handing over the motorcycles and equipment to the guards in Damaturu.
He said other equipment donated to the guards included 900 raincoats, 900 rain boots, 900 blankets, 900 torchlights and 900 mosquito nets.
Goje said the items would support the 886 personnel already deployed in the state by the Federal Government, enabling them to effectively protect the lives and property of the citizenry.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to Buni on Security Matters, Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam, appealed to the state government to recruit 1,000 more forest guards to strengthen security operations.
He said the additional personnel would expand the existing operational capacity and enable the guards to extend their deployment to other parts of the state.
The official said Yobe was among the states selected for the Federal Government’s initial pilot scheme for the establishment of forest guards.
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According to him, the 886 personnel are recruited from seven frontline local government areas, including Gulani, Gujba, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Bursari, Yunusari and Nangere.
Abdulsalam said they successfully completed their training in December 2025 and subsequently underwent additional training by the Nigerian Army to improve their operational capabilities.
The official said the forest guards were deployed to various locations in March 2026 under the supervision and mentorship of the Nigerian Army’s 27 Task Force Brigade, which was responsible for their operational command.
He commended the guards for their performance, saying their primary responsibility was to secure ungoverned spaces used by criminals, insurgents and kidnappers as hideouts.
“ At any given time, we intend to deploy at least 10 motorcycles, each carrying two armed personnel, to respond to emergencies and address security threats,” he said.
The official noted that the motorcycles would enable the guards to navigate difficult terrain under varying weather and ground conditions.
He expressed appreciation to the governor and the SSG for their support, while requesting additional communication equipment and surveillance devices to strengthen intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
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He also appealed for more vehicles to support administrative duties and patrol operations, particularly during the dry season when road conditions would permit their effective use.
The Commander, 27 Brigade, Buni Gari, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Mukhtar, assured the state of synergy among sister agencies to protect lives and property of the people.