01/06/2026
PRESS STATEMENT
1st June 2026
NCYP Commends President Tinubu on Oyo Forest Guard Approval, Warns Against Implementation Delays Citing Plateau State Experience
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards for Oyo State. We view this as a demonstration of the President’s commitment to strengthening internal security and a recognition of the urgent need to expand the Forest Guard initiative nationwide.
This position aligns with NCYP’s press statement of May 25, 2026, in which we called for the expansion of the Forest Guard programme beyond its current pilot arrangements to Oyo state and all states of the federation.
While we commend this approval and ongoing efforts by security agencies in rescuing the Oyo state kidnapped school teachers and kids, we emphasize that security decisions must be fully and rapidly implemented on the ground, through recruitment, training, and operational deployment.
Nigerians will recall that following a series of deadly attacks in Plateau State and rising insecurity in rural communities, the Federal Government approved the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards for the state. The approval was announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima on January 27, 2026, as part of measures to deny criminal elements safe havens within forested areas.
However, several months later, the Plateau Forest Guard initiative is yet to become operational. This highlights a critical implementation gap that must be urgently addressed to ensure that such approvals translate into effective security presence.
Mr. President, the appointment of Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa (Rtd.) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security presents a strengthened framework for coordination and rapid ex*****on of key security policies. Nigerians now expect that approved initiatives will no longer remain at the level of announcement but will be swiftly operationalised through effective inter-agency action.
The current security challenges in the country demonstrate that delays in implementation undermine the very purpose of security interventions and allow criminal elements to exploit existing gaps.
NCYP therefore calls for the urgent establishment and operationalisation of Forest Guards across all states of the federation. A nationwide framework will close existing security gaps, strengthen surveillance of forest corridors, and enhance intelligence gathering in support of military and security operations.
In conclusion, NCYP reiterates its position that Forest Guards should be recruited primarily from host and forest communities. Local residents possess superior knowledge of terrain, movement patterns, and hidden routes, making them better positioned to support effective forest surveillance and intelligence-led security operations.
A community-based Forest Guard structure will significantly improve collaboration with security agencies and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to prevent and respond to threats within forested regions.
NCYP remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at strengthening national security, protecting lives and property, and restoring lasting peace across the country.
Signed:
Isaac Abrak
Chairman, NCYP
