Plateau Forest Guards: NCYP Warns Initiative Will Fail Without Frontline Youth Recruitment

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards to fight against insecurity in Plateau State, warning that the Initiative Will Fail Without Frontline Youth Recruitment. Isaac Abrak, Chairman, Northern Christian Youth Professionals, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said the decision reflects […]

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards to fight against insecurity in Plateau State, warning that the Initiative Will Fail Without Frontline Youth Recruitment.

Isaac Abrak, Chairman, Northern Christian Youth Professionals, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said the decision reflects the President’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promise by addressing the persistent security challenges facing forest and rural communities across the country.

“While we welcome this initiative, NCYP strongly called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and the youths of Plateau State to ensure that the recruitment process is community-focused and inclusive, with priority given to youths who reside in forest-bordering and hotspot communities.”

The statement stressed that youths possess superior knowledge of the terrain and forest pathways, and they and their families are often the first victims of insecurity, saying this reality will naturally make them more committed, vigilant, and effective in defending their communities.

NCYP as the main advocate for the establishment of the Forest Guard cautions that anything short of this community-based approach risks the failure of the Forest Guard initiative and may further compound insecurity.

“We strongly warn against the recruitment process being hijacked to compensate political interests or armed thugs, who may eventually manipulate the structure to harass political opponents, as has been witnessed in vigilante operations in some states.”

“We further emphasize the critical role of Traditional Rulers in this process. Traditional institutions are well-positioned to identify credible youths from vulnerable communities and recommend them for recruitment. Their involvement will help prevent the recruitment of the wrong individuals and strengthen accountability, as recruits will not only be answerable to the government but also to their traditional authorities, who represent the cultural and moral foundation of the communities. This dual accountability will help ensure discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights.

“For perspective, a minimum of 20000 CJTF members were deployed by government in 2012 to help dislodge Boko Haram from parts of Borno State and its environs. In light of this, NCYP respectfully called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve an additional 4,000 Forest Guard recruits for Plateau State to ensure effective coverage and lasting impact.”

NCYP said it remained committed to supporting policies and initiatives that promote community security, peace, and sustainable development across Northern Nigeria.