President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 youths from Plateau State to serve as forest guards in a renewed effort to address the insecurity that has plagued the state for more than two decades. The approval is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen grassroots security and restore lasting peace to communities affected by recurring violence.
The initiative is designed to enhance surveillance and security within Plateau’s vast forest areas, which have often been exploited by criminal elements as hideouts and transit routes for attacks on rural communities. By deploying locally recruited forest guards who understand the terrain, authorities aim to close security gaps that conventional forces have struggled to manage effectively.
The presidential approval was disclosed by federal officials during an engagement in Jos, Plateau State, where the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity through both security and development-focused interventions. The recruitment is expected to provide trained manpower to complement the efforts of existing security agencies operating in the state.
Plateau State has experienced prolonged security challenges marked by communal clashes, banditry, and attacks on farming communities, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents, and disruption of economic activities. Successive administrations have explored various solutions, but insecurity has remained a major concern for residents across several local government areas.
According to officials, the forest guards will be drawn from Plateau communities and trained to monitor forest corridors, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in preventing attacks. Their local knowledge is expected to improve early warning systems and strengthen trust between security operatives and host communities.
The recruitment initiative is also seen as a youth empowerment measure, providing employment opportunities while engaging young people in lawful and community-oriented security roles. Government sources noted that combining job creation with security responsibilities is key to addressing some of the underlying factors fueling unrest.
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The approval aligns with the Tinubu administration’s emphasis on decentralised and community-based security approaches, particularly in regions where difficult terrain and limited access have complicated conventional security operations. Forest guards are expected to play a supportive role without replacing statutory security agencies.
In addition to security measures, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to infrastructure development in Plateau State, including the rehabilitation of major road networks to improve access, economic activity, and rapid security response across affected areas.
Stakeholders in Plateau have welcomed the decision, expressing optimism that sustained implementation and proper coordination with security agencies will reduce attacks and restore confidence among residents, especially in rural communities that have borne the brunt of violence.
As the recruitment process moves toward implementation, expectations remain high that the forest guard initiative will mark a turning point in Plateau’s long struggle with insecurity, while reinforcing the Federal Government’s resolve to combine local participation with national security efforts to achieve lasting peace.
