Reports claiming that forest guards are missing from rural areas throughout the state have been refuted by the Taraba state government, which maintains that all workers hired under the scheme have been adequately deployed.
Colonel Joshua Garbiya Kwelle (rtd), the Special Advisor to Governor Agbu Kefas on Security and Intelligence Matters, refuted the claims on Tuesday in Jalingo, stating that the 750 forest guards hired by the state government had received training and were deployed throughout the 16 local government councils.
Kwelle claims that the forest guard program, which was introduced in 2025, was intended to protect forest corridors, obtain intelligence, and stop bandits and other criminal groups from exploiting woods as bases of operations.
He clarified that offices have been set up in every local government area to assist the operations of the operatives, who are stationed in key sites across the state.
The security expert pointed out that although though the forest guards are not given traditional community policing responsibilities, their actions are crucial to improving security for rural and farming communities.
In response to worries over the welfare of the staff, Kwelle said that plans are in place to guarantee wage payments, pointing out that the remuneration structure is presently being completed while federal government procedures are finished.
He praised Governor Kefas for his dedication to enhancing security in Taraba State via consistent funding and backing of security-related projects.
Additionally, Kwelle cautioned that the dissemination of false information could cause needless worry and concern among locals and asked journalists, bloggers, and content producers to carefully confirm information from reliable sources before publishing.
The security expert pointed out that although though the forest guards are not given traditional community policing responsibilities, their actions are crucial to improving security for rural and farming communities.
In response to worries over the welfare of the staff, Kwelle said that plans are in place to guarantee wage payments, pointing out that the remuneration structure is presently being completed while federal government procedures are finished.
He praised Governor Kefas for his dedication to enhancing security in Taraba State via consistent funding and backing of security-related projects.
Additionally, Kwelle cautioned that the dissemination of false information could cause needless worry and concern among locals and asked journalists, bloggers, and content producers to carefully confirm information from reliable sources before publishing. He reminded the public that the forest guards are still fully functioning and dedicated to supporting initiatives meant to protect communities around the state.
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