Taraba Marshall Security Guard Commissions 600 Personnel to Tackle Insecurity
By Hilary John
In a decisive move to enhance internal security, the Taraba Marshall Security Guard has commissioned 600 newly recruited officers to help address the growing security challenges across the state.
The passing-out parade was held on Friday, July 25, 2025, in Jalingo.
A total of 600 personnel, including 70 officers, successfully completed a three-week refresher training course aimed at equipping them with practical skills to respond to security threats and complement existing security agencies.
The event was presided over by the Commandant of the Marshall Guards, CP Agyole Abeh (Rtd).
Speaking at the event, he revealed that the Marshalls were drawn from all 16 Local Government Areas and the 2 Special Development Areas of the state.
He stressed that they are expected to make meaningful impact in their communities, leveraging their local knowledge to support conventional security forces.
“The Marshalls are from the communities and know the terrain better than many conventional security personnel. They are in a unique position to provide accurate intelligence and foster community-based security,” he said.
He therefore charged the new officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, patriotism, and discipline, with strict adherence to the rule of law.
He also cautioned against any form of lawlessness or human rights violations, stressing that their core duty is to protect lives, collaborate with formal security agencies in intelligence gathering, community engagement, and provide swift response to emerging threats.
The Commandant of the Taraba Marshall Security Guard expressed deep appreciation to Governor Agbu Kefas for his unwavering support and commitment to grassroots security and peacebuilding.
He assured the administration that the Marshalls would continue to serve as loyal, disciplined, and effective ambassadors of the government’s vision for a safer Taraba.
Representing the Governor of Taraba State, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief (Barr.) Gebon Timothy Kataps, commended the recruits and urged them to serve as ambassadors of peace and integrity.
He encouraged them to embrace continuous learning, maintain ethical conduct and respect their host communities.
“The Governor has given you the mandate to protect lives and property. Be disciplined, be loyal, and build strong relationships with the communities you serve. Do not harbour criminals. Report any suspicious activity or individuals aiming to destabilize the state to the appropriate authorities without delay,” the SSG charged.
The mass graduation is a key component of Governor Kefas’ administration’s broader initiative to boost internal security and restore lasting peace throughout Taraba State.
Also speaking at the event, the Taraba State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anthony Bala, praised Governor Kefas for his proactive approach to securing the state, acknowledging the importance of the training.
“With this training, the best of these Marshalls will emerge as reliable partners. They will serve as informants and intelligence sources for the NSCDC across the state. Their distribution throughout the LGAs will greatly enhance our ability to respond effectively.”
Commander Bala also thanked the Governor for providing the necessary logistics and support to ensure the success of the training exercise.
