Gov. Ododo passes out 530 Forest Guards asks them to defend Kogi against criminals

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has officially launched the state's National Forest Guards, comprising 530 trained men and women. This initiative aims to bolster security and combat criminal activities within the state's forests and communities.

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serve with discipline, integrity and patriotism as they begin the important task of protecting Kogi’s forests and communities from criminal elements.

During the passing-out ceremony in Lokoja, Governor Ododo, represented by Comrade Joel Salifu, urged the guards to serve with discipline, integrity, and patriotism. He stated that the graduation signifies the commitment of both federal and state governments to enhancing security and denying criminals safe havens. The governor also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the National Forest Guards, highlighting it as a demonstration of his dedication to community-based security.

Governor Ododo stressed that security is the cornerstone of his administration's development agenda, asserting that progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and commerce hinges on a peaceful and secure environment. The Forest Guards will play a crucial role in intelligence gathering, safeguarding forests from illicit activities, protecting legitimate economic endeavors, and collaborating with other security agencies to maintain peace across Kogi State.

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security remains the foundation of his administration’s development agenda, stressing that meaningful progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and commerce can only thrive in a peaceful and secure environment.

Out of 539 individuals who began the eight-week training, 530 successfully completed the program. Governor Ododo clarified that the success of the Forest Guards will be measured not by arrests made, but by the peace maintained and crimes prevented. He called upon traditional rulers, community leaders, and various groups to support the guards with timely and credible information. Earlier, the Representative of the National Security Adviser commended the initiative, urging the guards to be disciplined and effective in their duties.

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the success of the Forest Guards would not be measured by the number of arrests they make, but by the peace they help to maintain, the crimes they prevent.