Army trains security guards on arms handling to protect IDPs in Borno

The Nigerian army has trained at least 40 security guards in an effort to improve security in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within Maiduguri, Borno’s capital.

Shauib Waidi, general officer commanding (GOC) of the army’s 7 division, said the step will assist in eliminating some security gaps that shady persons in the camps have been taking advantage of.

The GOC who was represented by Agbo Solomon, commander, 195 battalion, said the security guards had undergone intensive training on unarmed combat and small arms handling with an emphasis on safety and protection.

He said the guards were also trained on how to disarm adversaries during attacks and how to defend themselves using combinations of physical combat techniques.

“They are equally trained on intelligence gathering; how to process and relay information with  their own inputs using the  appropriate channels,” he said. 

“They are also trained on how to response to fire incidents which is usually recurring every year in this camp that is housing about 30,000 persons.” 

TheCable had reported how a fire outbreak at an IDP camp in Mafa LGA of Borno left hundreds homeless on November 5.

Speaking further, Solomon said initiatives like the security training for guards would be helpful in cementing civil – military relationships with the host community while encouraging them to be actively involved in securing their own communities.

He added that it also provided a platform to sensitise the IDPs on a need to be security conscious and to report suspected movements or activities that would bridge peace to the security agencies.

In his remarks, Seina Buba, Borno commissioner for youth and sport, applauded the efforts of the army towards restoring lasting peace in the state.

Buba said that the initiative would be replicated in other camps across the state to ensure more protection for the IDPs.

He added that the state government was working to close all IDPs camps in the state, so that people would return to their respective communities.