The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards to strengthen the fight against insecurity in Plateau state, describing the move as a fulfillment of the President’s campaign promise to tackle security challenges in rural and forest communities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NCYP said the approval reflected the President’s commitment to addressing the persistent threats posed by criminal elements operating within forest corridors across the country.
However, the group urged Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to ensure that the recruitment process is community-focused and inclusive, with priority given to youths from forest-bordering and security-hotspot communities.
NCYP noted that such youths possess superior knowledge of the terrain and forest pathways, adding that they and their families are often the first victims of attacks, which would naturally make them more committed and vigilant in defending their communities.
The group warned that any deviation from a community-based recruitment approach could undermine the Forest Guard initiative and potentially worsen insecurity, cautioning against the process being hijacked to compensate political interests or armed thugs.
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It expressed concern that politicised recruitment could lead to abuse of the structure, including the harassment of political opponents, as witnessed in some vigilante operations in other states.
NCYP also emphasised the need for the involvement of traditional rulers, saying they are best positioned to identify credible youths from vulnerable communities and recommend them for recruitment to ensure accountability and discipline.
While welcoming the initiative, the group described the approved 1,000 Forest Guards as inadequate for Plateau State, and called on President Tinubu to approve an additional 4,000 recruits to ensure effective coverage and lasting security impact across the state.