By Sumaila Ogbaje
Kaduna State has commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative as trainees completed about 60 per cent of their training programme.
Gov. Uba Sani gave the commendation while receiving an ONSA delegation led by HI Mabeokwu at the Government House, Kaduna.
A statement from ONSA on Thursday said the delegation visited the state to assess the ongoing training of more than 1,000 armed forest guards being prepared for deployment to security flashpoints.
Sani described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at improving security across forests and vulnerable rural communities.
He said the programme reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening security through collaboration with state governments.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the initiative by sustaining the welfare of trainees and instructors.
The ONSA delegation expressed satisfaction with the progress of the training, describing the exercise as well organised and the facilities as adequate.
The team also commended the Kaduna State Government for providing welfare support to trainees and instructors throughout the programme.
Officials said participants had completed about 60 per cent of the curriculum covering weapons handling, tactical operations and other field competencies.
The assessment team comprised representatives of the National Intelligence Agency, Department of State Services, National Park Service, Nigeria Police Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Presidential Forest Guards Initiative is coordinated by the ONSA to reclaim forests exploited by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers as operational bases.
The forest guards are expected to support conventional security agencies through intelligence gathering, patrols and sustained security presence in forested communities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba