COAS GRADUATES 924 BORNO STATE FOREST GUARDS, CHARGES THEM ON FOREST PROTECTION

COAS GRADUATES 924 BORNO STATE FOREST GUARDS, CHARGES THEM ON FOREST PROTECTION

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu Nigerian Army Medal has graduated 924 members of the Borno State Forest Guards following the successful completion of their training at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Miango. The graduation ceremony held on Saturday, 5 September 2026, was designed to enhance the capacity of the trainees to protect forest areas, safeguard surrounding communities and contribute to the preservation of the nation’s natural resources.

In his welcome address, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, described forests as critical components of the environment that sustain biodiversity and livelihoods, stressing that their protection remains a collective responsibility. He noted that the graduation of the Forest Guards represents a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen forest security, protect communities and preserve valuable natural resources. According to him, the prevailing security challenges in some forested areas have further heightened the importance of developing the capacity of personnel capable of contributing effectively to the protection of these vital areas and the safety of communities within and around them.

Major General Okoro disclosed that the trainees underwent rigorous instruction aimed at enhancing their knowledge, practical skills, physical endurance, discipline and weapon-handling proficiency. He explained that the training had prepared them to effectively perform their duties as a community first line of defence, while also undertaking other auxiliary responsibilities assigned to them.

Giving an overview of the training, the Training Team Leader, Colonel RO Alieze, explained that the trainees were duly documented upon arrival and organised into companies to ensure effective administration, accountability and coordination throughout the exercise. He stated that emphasis was placed on discipline and physical fitness as essential attributes of a professional guard, while the training also tested the trainees’ endurance, improved their tactical awareness and strengthened their resolve to perform their duties effectively.

Colonel Alieze further noted that the training encountered challenges, particularly communication barriers arising from differences in language. However, he said the instructors overcame the challenges through interpretation, demonstrations and practical exercises, reflecting the commitment and dedication of the training team to ensuring that the objectives of the exercise were achieved.

Delivering the address of the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, emphasised the strategic importance of forests to national security, environmental sustainability and community livelihoods. He noted that forests constitute vital national assets and ecosystems that support biodiversity, protect the environment and contribute significantly to the well-being of communities. He, however, observed that some forested areas had been exploited by criminal elements as hideouts and operational bases for hoodlums, bandits, terrorists and other groups posing threats to the security and safety of citizens.

The COAS stated that “As forest guards, you are at the Frontline of forest protection and conservation. You will be expected to prevent and report illegal activities such as unauthorized entry, illegal logging, poaching, bush burning and other forms of environmental degradation. You are also expected to engage constructively with local communities, educate them on the importance of forest conservation and promote responsible utilization of our natural resources.”