NEDC Donates Food, Relief Materials to Support Training of 1,000 Forest Guards in Yobe
From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated food and relief materials to support the training of 1,000 newly recruited forest guards aimed at bolstering security across Yobe State.
The items—comprising 100 cartons of spaghetti and macaroni, 80 gallons of vegetable oil, and 1,000 nylon mats—were formally handed over on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Damaturu.
Representing the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Mohammed G. Alkali, at the event was the NEDC Yobe State Coordinator, Mr. Ali Abbas.
According to Abbas, the gesture aligns with the Commission’s core mandate of complementing the efforts of both the federal and state governments in addressing security challenges confronting the North-East.
“We are here today with retired Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdussalam, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, to officially present these essential items to support the ongoing training of 1,000 forest guards,” Abbas stated.
He described the initiative as a strategic intervention under the leadership of Mr. Alkali, designed to strengthen the local security framework in forest areas often exploited by criminal elements.
“With this support, participants in the training will have access to basic welfare items, which are crucial for their morale and performance. The NEDC, as an interventionist agency, remains committed to promoting peace, security, and development across the region,” Abbas added.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Yobe State Government, retired Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdussalam expressed appreciation to the NEDC, describing the donation as “bold, timely, and pioneering.”
He noted that the recruitment and training of the forest guards is a collaborative effort between the federal and state governments, designed to curb criminal activities in forest zones.
“The aim is to ensure that our forests no longer serve as safe havens for terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements,” he said. “The NEDC is the first interventionist agency in Nigeria to support this vital security initiative.”
He confirmed the receipt of the donated items and conveyed appreciation on behalf of the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni.
“This support will go a long way in sustaining the training programme, which is currently in its pilot phase across five local government areas,” he stated, adding that there are plans to scale up the initiative in future phases.
Brig.-Gen. Abdussalam concluded by acknowledging the NEDC’s broader contributions across sectors, saying, “The Commission continues to play a key role in driving recovery and development efforts in the North-East, with impactful interventions in security, education, infrastructure, and humanitarian services.”
