The Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago, on Wednesday said plans are on by the state government to recruit 1,500 youths as forest guards in the state.

Bago made this known in Minna when he met with the members of the vigilance corps in the state on measures to curb insecurity, which was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim and made available to reporters in Minna on Wednesday.

He noted that the recruitment of forest guards would safeguard the abundant forest reserves across the the state. Bago said: “We intend to employ 1,500 youths into Niger forest guards so that we can take over the forests.”

The governor also commended the vigilance corps in the state for complementing the efforts of the conventional security operatives in the task of protecting lives and property.

He therefore disclosed that the state government had procured assorted equipment for the corps to enable them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.

Earlier, the Commander of the corps, retired DSP Alhassan Mohammed described his men as “gallant and that their vast knowledge of the terrains complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies in combating banditry.”

He said the desire to serve humanity and ensure security made them put their lives on the line, as he  appealed for synergy between them and the conventional security agencies, in order to tackle banditry and other forms of insecurity in the state.