The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has trained 1,000 forest guards in Yobe State, equipping them with skills to protect farmers from terrorist activities in farms and forests, particularly in the Sambisa and Sasawa forests. The Commission also distributed food items and waterproof mats to support the guards during their operations.

Speaking at the opening of the training session in Damaturu, the Managing Director of the Commission, represented by the State’s Coordinator, Prof Ali Ibrahim Abbas, said the programme aims to bolster security and prevent terrorist activities in farms and forests.

As part of the initiative, the NEDC provided the guards 100 cartons of assorted pasta, 80 gallons of cooking oil, and 1,000 waterproof mats to ensure their well-being during their assignments.

Abbas explained that the training initially targeted five local councils within the two forests, with plans to extend the initiative to the remaining 12 local councils in the state. He also noted that the Commission intends to train more forest guards to enhance security and safeguard farms and forests from Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal activities.

The Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Mai Mala Buni, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), praised the Commission for its innovative approach to protecting lives and property. He highlighted the collaboration between the federal and state governments in employing forest guards to secure the Sambisa and Sasawa forests and prevent attacks on farmers and pastoralists.

Dahiru also commended the NEDC as the first Federal Government agency to support the state in its fight against terrorism, acknowledging its interventions in education, infrastructure, and humanitarian sectors.