By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Ibikunle Ajose, has charged 925 newly trained Borno State Forest Guards to be fearless, decisive and professional in supporting efforts to counter terrorism and other criminal activities in the state.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Goni said Major General Ajose gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of the Forest Guards after their two-week in-theatre acclimatization training at the North East Theatre Training School (NETTS), Buni Yadi, Yobe State, on September 20, 2026.
Addressing the graduates, the Theatre Commander said their training and knowledge of the local terrain would complement ongoing military operations and enhance the effectiveness of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts.
He urged them to apply their newly acquired skills responsibly, remain disciplined and respect law-abiding citizens, while warning against harassment of civilians and rivalry with other security agencies.
He charged them to remain focused on the common threat posed by terrorists and criminals and to demonstrate courage and decisiveness in the discharge of their duties.
The Special Guest of Honour, Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, said the Forest Guard initiative was established to provide structured auxiliary support to the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He disclosed that the 925 personnel, drawn from the 27 Local Government Areas of Borno State, would be handed over to the Theatre Command for deployment based on operational requirements.
He noted that their knowledge of local terrain, languages and culture would enhance their effectiveness as force multipliers in support of ongoing operations.
Earlier, the Commandant, NETTS, Brigadier General Amadike Onaogu, said the two-week training was designed to build confidence, resilience, discipline and adaptability in the Forest Guards.
He said the training was not intended to transform them into soldiers, but to equip them with relevant competencies to effectively complement security operations within their areas of responsibility.
Major General Ajose commended the Borno State Government for its sustained support to security efforts and appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his guidance and support to Operation HADIN KAI and the training programme.
He also commended the Commandant and instructors of NETTS for maintaining training standards and urged them to sustain the tempo.
The Theatre Commander reaffirmed the commitment of OPHK to sustaining operational pressure against terrorists while deepening cooperation with security stakeholders to restore lasting peace across the theatre.
