The General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, has activated the deployment of 170 Forest Guards in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State to strengthen security in vulnerable communities.
The deployment was formally operationalised on Tuesday at the Army Headquarters in Kangiwa, Arewa LGA. As part of the initiative, the GOC donated critical logistics to enhance the guards’ effectiveness. The items include 10 new motorcycles, 170 sleeping kits, and essential food supplies to support mobility, welfare, and operational readiness.
Major General Koughna said the intervention is aimed at improving rapid-response capability, particularly in remote forested areas often used as hideouts by terrorists and bandits. He noted that the motorcycles would improve patrol coverage and response time, while the welfare materials would help sustain morale among personnel operating in challenging terrains.
He urged the Forest Guards to remain disciplined and professional in carrying out their duties, stressing that defeating insecurity requires teamwork and sustained collaboration. The GOC also conveyed the message of the Chief of Army Staff, cautioning the guards against using their weapons against law-abiding citizens.
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Representing Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Internal Security, Haliru Aliyu Wasabu, described the move as timely and commended the Army for its strong partnership with the state government.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with the military and other security agencies to tackle banditry and related crimes across Kebbi and the wider North-West region.
The operational deployment of the Forest Guards marks another step in ongoing efforts to reinforce community-based security structures and consolidate gains in the fight against insurgency and criminal activities in the region.
