The General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander, Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, has deployed 170 Forest Guards to Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State to reinforce security in vulnerable communities.
The deployment was formalised on Tuesday at the Headquarters, Kangiwa in Arewa LGA, as part of renewed efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities in Kebbi and the wider North-West region.
At the ceremony, Major General Koughna donated key logistics items to enhance the operational effectiveness of the guards, who will function under the supervision of the Nigerian Army.
The items include 10 new motorcycles, 170 sleeping kits and food supplies aimed at improving mobility, welfare and operational readiness, particularly in remote forested areas often used as hideouts by criminal elements.
Koughna said the intervention is designed to boost rapid-response capability and sustain field operations. He noted that the motorcycles would improve patrol coverage and response time, while the welfare support would strengthen morale among personnel operating in difficult terrains.
He urged the Forest Guards to remain disciplined and professional, stressing that tackling insecurity requires synergy and sustained commitment. He also conveyed the goodwill of the Chief of Army Staff, cautioning the guards against using their weapons against law-abiding citizens.
Representing Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Internal Security, Haliru Aliyu Wasabu, described the initiative as a timely intervention and commended the Army’s collaboration with the state government.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with the military and other security agencies to curb criminality and consolidate gains against insurgency and banditry in the North-West.
