The Nigeria Forest Security Service said it has trained 1,800 personnel across four states in the North-West to enhance intelligence gathering and strengthen forest protection.

The Commander of NFSS in Kano State, Abdullahi Al-ameen, disclosed this on Tuesday during the training of the personnel from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Jigawa states.

Mr Al-ameen said that the training was to improve local intelligence gathering in support of national security operations.

He said that it focused basically on building intelligence capacity and strengthening collaboration with security agencies.

He noted that it was also to engage relevant stakeholders to protect forest reserves.

He stated, “The training is part of our renewed strategy to secure forest reserves, prevent illegal logging, and curb the activities of bandits and other criminal elements who use forests as hideouts.’’

Mr Al-ameen said that the forest guards were working closely with traditional institutions and community leaders to gather actionable intelligence and ensure prompt response to threats.

 He called on members of the public to support the initiative by providing credible information that would aid in protecting the nation’s forest resources.

(NAN)