Tinubu Boosts Security in Plateau with Recruitment of 1,000 Plateau Youths as Forest Guards

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 youths from Plateau State as forest guards, in a move aimed at curbing insecurity in the region

Plateau State has long been plagued by ethnic and religious conflicts, banditry, and violent clashes between farmers and herders. Reports indicate that over the past 20 years, more than 11,000 people have lost their lives due to recurring violence across several local government areas of the state. The newly recruited forest guards are expected to be deployed in vulnerable communities to enhance surveillance, protect lives and property, and support security operations. While not a complete solution to the state’s security challenges, the initiative is seen as a welcome step toward mitigating ongoing violence Civil society groups and residents have commended the Federal Government’s decision, highlighting the importance of transparency and community involvement in the recruitment process. They emphasized that prioritizing local youths from affected areas would improve the effectiveness of the forest guards and foster trust with the communities they are meant to protect. The recruitment forms part of President Tinubu’s broader security agenda, which seeks to strengthen community-based security structures and tackle criminal activities, particularly in Nigeria’s conflict-prone regions. Residents and stakeholders hope that the initiative will contribute to reducing attacks and restoring stability in Plateau State.