TheCable

Umar Bago, governor of Niger, says the government is working on plans to employ 1,500 youths as forest guards in the state.

In a statement issued by Bologi Ibrahim, chief press secretary to the governor, Bago spoke on Wednesday after a meeting with the leadership of the vigilante corps in Minna, the state capital.

He said the government has purchased the necessary equipment to motivate and enable the forest guards to perform their duties effectively.

“We intend to employ 1,500 youths into Niger forest guards so that we can take over the forest,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to the vigilante crops for working with other security outfits in the state to protect lives and properties.

During his inauguration as governor on May 29, Bago had promised to pay “serious attention” to insecurity in the state.

Many Niger communities have been attacked and destroyed, while thousands of residents have been displaced by bandits operating actively in the areas.

The governor had earlier attributed the increased rate of insecurity in the state to the “struggle to control areas rich in mineral resources” by some individuals.