Govt re-engages guards to protect its forest

The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has approved the re-engagement of Green Guards to protect the forests across the state.

The State Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Dr. Aliyu Mohammed Tangwagi, who disclosed this in Minna yesterday, said the measure was to stop indiscriminate encroachment of forest reserves by land speculators.

He said the governor approved the re-engagement of the 520 former casual guards employed under the defunct Sure-P initiative to protect forest belts from being illegally taken over.

“In the face of indiscriminate encroachment of our Forest reserve and the illegal felling of trees without conscious efforts to replace them, Mr. Governor has approved the return of the Green Guards.” Tangwagi said.