The Bauchi State Government has officially graduated 2,187 Forest Guards and charged the newly trained personnel to uphold human rights, professionalism and discipline as they begin their mission to strengthen security across the state. The directive was delivered during the passing-out parade of the Bauchi Forest Guards held at the Police Training School in Yelwa, Bauchi Local Government Area.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who was represented by Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, congratulated the graduates and reminded them of the responsibility that comes with protecting lives, forests and communities. Addressing the new recruits, the governor stressed that professionalism must remain at the centre of their operations.
He urged them to respect the rights of citizens while carrying out their duties and warned against any form of misconduct that could undermine the objectives behind the establishment of the security outfit. The governor also welcomed representatives of various security agencies present at the event and commended their support for the state’s security initiatives.
According to the governor, the establishment of the Forest Guard Corps represents a strategic effort to promote peace, strengthen security and improve environmental protection across Bauchi State. He described the programme as a symbol of integrity, discipline and community-based security engagement.
The graduates were encouraged to serve as worthy ambassadors of the corps and to strictly observe operational guidelines and rules of engagement while carrying out assignments. Governor Mohammed noted that the success of the initiative would depend largely on the conduct, commitment and professionalism of the personnel.
The state government maintained that it would not tolerate unlawful actions by members of the corps. Officials stressed that every operation must be conducted within the framework of the law and in accordance with established human rights standards.
The governor further urged the newly inducted officers to contribute to environmental sustainability while supporting efforts to safeguard communities against criminal activities. He said the dual responsibility of protecting both people and natural resources makes the corps an important component of the state’s security architecture.
Speaking at the event, Commander-General of the Bauchi State Vigilante and Youth Empowerment Agency, Umar Shayi, praised the governor for investing in local security structures. Shayi said the initiative demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring that Bauchi remains secure and peaceful.
He described the graduation of the Bauchi Forest Guards as a significant milestone in the state’s security strategy and urged the recruits to remain loyal, dedicated and focused on their responsibilities. According to him, their commitment will play a critical role in improving safety and supporting security agencies across the state.
The graduation of 2,187 Bauchi Forest Guards marks one of the state’s largest community security empowerment initiatives in recent years. Authorities believe the programme will strengthen local security efforts, enhance environmental protection and improve collaboration between communities and security agencies in addressing emerging threats.
