The Taraba State Government has dismissed claims that forest guards are not operating in farming communities, insisting that all personnel recruited under the state’s forest security programme are actively working across the state.
Speaking in Jalingo on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Security and Intelligence, retired Colonel Joshua Garbiya Kwelle, said reports suggesting the absence of forest guards were inaccurate and did not reflect the reality on the ground.
Kwelle explained that the state government recruited 750 forest guards as part of a security initiative introduced in 2025 to strengthen surveillance and improve safety in rural areas.
According to him, the officers completed their training and have since been deployed to all 16 local government areas of the state.
He stated that the programme was established to monitor forest routes, gather intelligence and prevent criminal groups, including bandits, from using forests as hideouts or operational bases.
The security adviser noted that the guards have been strategically positioned across different parts of Taraba, with operational offices already functioning in every local government area to support their activities.
Kwelle clarified that the forest guards were not created to perform traditional community policing duties. However, he stressed that their operations contribute significantly to the protection of farmers, rural residents and communities located near forest zones.
He also addressed concerns about the welfare of the personnel, assuring that the government is working on finalising their salary structure.
According to him, payment arrangements are being concluded while relevant federal procedures linked to the programme are being completed.
The retired military officer praised Governor Agbu Kefas for prioritising security and investing in measures aimed at making Taraba safer for residents.
He further appealed to journalists, bloggers and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing it, warning that false reports can create unnecessary panic among the public.
Kwelle reassured residents that the forest guards remain fully operational and committed to supporting efforts to tackle insecurity and protect communities across the state.
He urged citizens to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information that can help maintain peace and improve safety in both urban and rural areas.