By Jethro Ibileke
The Edo State Government has commenced the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards as part of a major security push aimed at protecting forests, farmlands and rural communities from kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within and around the state.
The Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Festus Ebea, disclosed this on Wednesday during a joint press briefing in Benin City alongside the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, and the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Saturday Uwuilekhue.
Ebea revealed that the state had already recruited 500 forest guards, while plans were underway to engage an additional 500 personnel following a directive from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to him, the guards will be strategically deployed across forests and border communities, particularly in areas vulnerable to criminal infiltration from neighbouring states.
He said special attention would be given to border corridors linking Edo with Kogi, Ondo and Delta states, as well as Akoko-Edo, Etsako East and Etsako West local government areas, which have witnessed security challenges in recent years.
The commissioner noted that operational bases for the forest guards would be established deep within forest reserves to ensure effective surveillance and rapid response to security threats.
“These guards’ offices will be located inside the forests of Edo State. We are paying special attention to areas bordering Kogi, Ondo and Delta states, as well as communities where criminal elements infiltrate forests and attack residents,” he said.
Ebea explained that Akoko-Edo would receive heightened security attention due to its vast mineral deposits, while the Ovia axis would also be closely monitored because of reported cases of criminals using waterways to infiltrate communities and abduct residents.
“Every part of Edo State will be covered under this initiative,” he assured.
He disclosed that the decision to increase the number of recruits from 500 to 1,000 followed a directive from the Presidency aimed at strengthening forest security nationwide.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, defended the concentration of some government projects in Udomi, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s hometown, saying the investments were driven by security considerations rather than political sentiment.
According to him, the area had suffered frequent kidnapping incidents due to its proximity to Delta State and the vast expanse of largely uninhabited land surrounding it.
He said the establishment of a military barracks, a School of Nursing and a School of Health Technology in the area was designed to stimulate economic activities, increase human presence and ultimately reduce criminal activities.
“By the time activities fully take off in that area, kidnapping will become a thing of the past, and we are already beginning to see positive results,” Afegbua stated.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Saturday Uwuilekhue, announced that the state government had acquired 50 additional buses for the New Edo Line transport scheme, increasing its fleet from 100 to 150 buses.
He also disclosed that 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses had been procured to strengthen intra-city transportation and provide affordable mobility for residents across the state.
