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OPHK Commander Urges Borno Forest Guards To Fight Terrorism

by admin on | 2026-09-21 11:57:38

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OPHK Commander Urges Borno Forest Guards To Fight Terrorism

By Muhammad Abdullahi

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 remain fearless, decisive and professional as they support ongoing efforts against terrorism and other criminal activities across the state.

Major General Ajose gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of the personnel following their two-week in-theatre acclimatisation training at the North East Theatre Training School (NETTS), Buni Yadi, Yobe State, on 20 September 2026.

The Theatre Commander said the Forest Guards’ training and knowledge of the local terrain would complement ongoing military operations and strengthen counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts as contained in a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni. 

He urged them to apply their skills responsibly, maintain discipline and respect law-abiding citizens, while warning against harassment of civilians and rivalry with other security agencies.

He stressed that the personnel must remain focused on the common threat posed by terrorists and criminals, while demonstrating courage and decisiveness in the discharge of their duties.

The Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, said the Forest Guard initiative was established to provide structured auxiliary support to the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

Professor Tar 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 according to 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, explained that the two-week training was designed to build the confidence, resilience, discipline and adaptability required of the Forest Guards in their supporting role.

He stressed that the training was not intended to transform the personnel into soldiers, but to equip them with relevant competencies to complement ongoing security operations within their areas of responsibility.

Major General Ajose commended the Borno State Government for its sustained support to security efforts in the state and appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his continued guidance and support to Operation HADIN KAI and the training programme.

He also commended the Commandant and instructors of NETTS for maintaining the required training standards and urged them to sustain the tempo.

The Theatre Commander further charged the newly graduated Forest Guards to uphold discipline, professionalism and respect for the law as they commence their duties, while reaffirming OPHK’s commitment to sustaining operational pressure against terrorists and deepening cooperation with relevant security stakeholders towards restoring lasting peace and normalcy across the Theatre of Operations.