Taraba State Government Confirms Deployment of Forest Guards

The Taraba State Government has dismissed reports claiming the absence of forest guards in the state. On Tuesday, in Jalingo, Agbu Kefa, the special adviser to the governor on security and intelligence matters, stated that 750 forest guards have been recruited and are undergoing training for deployment across 16 local government councils.

This initiative is part of the forest guard program set to launch in 2025, aimed at securing forest corridors and gathering intelligence to prevent banditry and criminal activities. Colonel Joshua Garbiya Kwell (rtd) explained that while forest guards are not assigned conventional police duties, they play a critical role in enhancing security for farming communities and rural residents.

Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure timely salary payments for the personnel, which are currently pending completion of federal government processes. Kefa urged journalists and content creators to verify information from credible sources to avoid spreading misinformation that could create unnecessary fear among residents.