Army Chief Charges 924 Borno Forest Guards to Secure Forests and Protect Communities
Jos / Maiduguri, September 5, 2026 — The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged 924 newly trained forest guards from Borno State to apply their skills with professionalism, vigilance and restraint as they take up the critical task of securing forests and protecting communities across the state.
The guards graduated on Saturday after six weeks of rigorous military training at the Medium Range of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division in Jos, Plateau State.
The programme covered weapon handling, shooting, patrol techniques, physical fitness, discipline, tactical awareness, ambush drills and operations in difficult terrain by day and night, including movement on foot and motorcycles.
Graduation Marks Milestone for Community Security
At the ceremony, the recruits demonstrated precision in ambush drills and shooting exercises. Representing the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, stressed that the guards must combine vigilance with professionalism, restraint and respect for human rights.
“Their ability to identify threats, respond appropriately and provide timely information could make a significant difference in saving lives and protecting communities,” Dangana said.
He reminded them that their new roles carry high accountability and urged them to uphold the law while treating citizens with dignity.
Major General Valentin Okoro, Chief of Training of the Nigerian Army, described the graduation as an important milestone in efforts to strengthen the protection of forests and natural resources.
He noted that security challenges in forested areas had made it necessary to build the capacity of personnel who can serve as a first line of defence for surrounding communities.
“The training has prepared them to operate in challenging and complex environments with professionalism, vigilance, and a strong sense of duty,” Okoro added.
Borno Government Welcomes the Deployment
The Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Ministry of Information and Internal Security, Aminu Chamalwa, expressed delight at the guards’ display of precision, determination, courage, discipline, and integrity.
He assured that the state government would deploy them judiciously to support broader security efforts and protect communities.
The newly graduated forest guards are expected to help bridge the gap between remote forest areas and nearby settlements.
Their roles include supporting patrols, providing early warning on threats, and denying criminal elements safe havens in the forests—a particularly important contribution in Borno, which continues to face security challenges linked to insurgent groups.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Multi-Layered Security Approach
The training and graduation form part of ongoing efforts to complement conventional security forces with specialized, community-oriented personnel.
By equipping local recruits with military-grade skills while emphasizing human rights and professional conduct, authorities aim to improve territorial control in hard-to-reach forest zones without alienating the populations they are meant to protect.
As the 924 guards prepare to return to Borno and begin operations, expectations are high that their presence will enhance early detection of threats, support existing military and police deployments, and contribute to the gradual restoration of safety and economic activity in affected communities.
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