The Gombe State contingent of Forest Guards has arrived at the Mobile Police Training School in Osun State, where their training has officially commenced as part of efforts by the Gombe State Government to strengthen security and safeguard forest reserves. The recruits departed for the training after undergoing a rigorous screening exercise in Gombe, where about 700 candidates were carefully vetted at the instance of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, in preparation for the specialised programme. The training is designed to equip the forest guards with the necessary skills and operational capacity required to effectively protect forest reserves, curb criminal activities and support security agencies in maintaining law and order within forested areas and surrounding communities. Speaking on the development on Tuesday, Director General Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli said the initiative forms part of the state government’s proactive measures to address emerging security challenges. He noted that the forest guards would undergo intensive training in surveillance, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with conventional security agencies. “The training of the forest guards is a strategic step by the Gombe State Government to strengthen security within our forests and rural communities. These areas have increasingly become vulnerable to criminal elements, and this initiative will help in safeguarding them,” he said. Misilli added that the recruits were carefully selected through a transparent screening process to ensure that only qualified and capable individuals participate in the programme. “We are confident that at the end of this training, the forest guards will be well equipped to support existing security agencies in combating criminal activities and maintaining peace across the state,” he added. Recall that in further demonstration of his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s security architecture, “Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya approved the sum of N337 million to facilitate the training programme and cover associated logistics for the forest guards,” Misilli added. Our correspondent reports that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government to enhance community-based security and protect natural resources across Gombe State.