NEDC Donates Relief Items for Training of 1,000 Forest Guards in Yobe
By Baba Dan’Iya
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated food and relief materials to support the training of 1,000 forest guards recruited to enhance security across forest zones in Yobe State.
The items, which include 100 cartons of spaghetti and macaroni, 80 gallons of vegetable oil, and 1,000 nylon mats, were handed over on Saturday in Damaturu.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC, Mr Mohammed G. Alkali, was represented at the event by the Commission’s Yobe State Coordinator, Mr Ali Abbas.
Abbas said the gesture was in line with the Commission’s mandate to complement efforts by the federal and state governments in addressing persistent security challenges confronting the North-East region.
“We are here today, Saturday, 14th June 2025, with retired Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdussalam, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, to hand over these sundry items to support the training of 1,000 forest guards,” he said.
Abba described the intervention as a proactive initiative under the leadership of Mr Alkali aimed at strengthening local security systems in forested areas vulnerable to criminal activities.
“With this kind of support, participants will receive the training and welfare needed to perform effectively. The NEDC, as an interventionist agency, will continue to complement efforts at both federal and state levels to foster peace, security and prosperity,” he added.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Yobe Government, retired Brig.-Gen. Abdussalam commended the NEDC for what he described as a bold and pioneering gesture in supporting grassroots security.
He said the training of forest guards forms part of a joint initiative between the federal and state governments to curtail the use of forests by terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
“The Federal Government, in collaboration with the state, has recruited forest guards to secure our forest zones and deny criminal elements safe havens. Today, the NEDC has become the first interventionist agency in Nigeria to support this effort,” Abdussalam said.
He confirmed receipt of the items and conveyed appreciation to the Commission on behalf of the Yobe State Government.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, I express our profound appreciation to the NEDC management under Mr Alkali, who is represented here by Mr Ali Abba,” he said.
According to him, the pilot phase of the training is currently ongoing across five local government areas, with plans to expand in subsequent phases.
“This is just the beginning. We intend to train many more forest guards. The training is ongoing, and support like this will help us sustain the momentum,” he added.
The NEDC has continued to play a central role in rebuilding lives and restoring livelihoods in the North-East through interventions in security, infrastructure, education, health and humanitarian services.
