The Nigerian Army has taken a significant step in its fight against terrorism and insurgency in Borno State by training 925 forest guards in basic military skills. The training, which lasted for two weeks, was conducted at the North-East Theatre Training School in Buni Yadi, Yobe State. The forest guards were drawn from the 27 local government areas of Borno State and are expected to operate alongside military personnel in the fight against terrorism.
The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, disclosed this information on Sunday at the graduation ceremony of the trainees. According to Ajose, the training was designed to prepare the forest guards to support military personnel in the fight against terrorism, but not to turn them into full soldiers. The forest guards were trained in various skills, including weapon stripping and assembly, aiming and firing, ambush tactics, and cordon-and-search operations.
The training also covered important topics such as Improvised Explosive Device awareness, handling of suspected terrorists, unarmed combat, self-defence, and operations in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. The exercise culminated in battle inoculation, a simulation designed to expose the trainees to realistic battle sounds and conditions and reduce fear and panic during actual operations.
Ajose charged the forest guards to remain disciplined, professional, and decisive while carrying out their duties. He warned them against harassing civilians or engaging in rivalry with other security agencies. The forest guards are expected to be handed over to the Theatre Command for deployment to areas of critical need, where they will work alongside military personnel to enhance the effectiveness of troops.
Representing Governor Babagana Zulum, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said the 925 trainees were drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state. Tar noted that their knowledge of the local terrain, languages, and culture would enhance the effectiveness of troops and make them useful force multipliers in ongoing operations.
The forest guards' knowledge of the local terrain, languages, and culture is expected to be a significant asset in the fight against terrorism. Their ability to operate in their local environment will enable them to gather intelligence and provide support to military personnel in a way that would be difficult for outsiders. This is a key aspect of the Nigerian Army's strategy to involve local communities in the fight against terrorism.
The training of the 925 forest guards is a significant development in the Nigerian Army's efforts to combat terrorism and insurgency in Borno State. The forest guards will play a crucial role in supporting military personnel in the fight against terrorism, and their deployment is expected to enhance the effectiveness of troops in the region.
Key points
- The Nigerian Army has trained 925 forest guards from Borno State in basic military skills to support troops fighting terrorism and insurgency within the state.
- The forest guards were trained in various skills, including weapon stripping and assembly, aiming and firing, ambush tactics, and cordon-and-search operations.
- The forest guards' knowledge of the local terrain, languages, and culture is expected to enhance the effectiveness of troops and make them useful force multipliers in ongoing operations.
