The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, has charged 942 newly trained forest guards from Borno State to combine vigilance with diligence as they assume duty as the first line of defence in protecting the nation’s forests.
He gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of the forest guards held at the shooting range of Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
After six weeks of intensive training in physical fitness, surveillance and weapons handling, the 942 forest guards are set to commence their duties of protecting the nation’s forests and curbing criminal activities within forested areas.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Maxwell Dangana, expressed concern over the increasing encroachment of criminal elements into forests, describing them as valuable natural resources that require protection.
He urged the forest guards to discharge their responsibilities with diligence and professionalism, while respecting the fundamental rights of citizens in the course of their duties.
The Chief of Army Training, Major General Valentine Okoro, and the Borno State Permanent Secretary of Information and Internal Security, Aminu Chamalwa, separately commended the quality of training provided to the forest guards during the six-week programme.
The newly trained forest guards later demonstrated their skills in weapon handling, physical fitness and other aspects of their training, drawing applause from dignitaries and other guests at the ceremony.
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(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
