Recruit Community Dwellers As Forest Guards –NCYP

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pursuing his campaign promise of revitalising the Forest Guards to combat violent groups within the forests, urging him to recruit only people dwelling around the forests.
NCYP said the recent directive to state governors to strengthen and arm the Forest Rangers in their respective states exemplified the president’s dedication not only to his constitutional duty of providing security but also addressing the humanitarian impact of banditry and terrorism on the people.
A statement issued by the chairman of NCYP, Isaac Abrak, said as supporters of President Tinubu, it is necessary to advise him to recruit rural dwellers and forest community residents into the Forest Guard.
It said; “Their extensive knowledge of the forest landscape is crucial for successfully combating bandits within our forests. We earnestly implore President Tinubu not to compromise on this key aspect in strengthening the Forest Guard, as excluding these forest community residents would prove counterproductive. These individuals, predominantly rural dwellers with limited access to literacy skills, must not be overlooked, as it could hinder their optimal performance in carrying out their duties.
“In line with our strong advice, NCYP urges that reading and writing skills be incorporated into the training program of Forest Guard recruits, alongside instilling the spirit of nationalism, citizenship, and patriotism. This approach will empower Forest Guard members to approach their responsibilities with a nationalistic goal.”
Suspected gunmen in Katsina State have invaded a mosque in Kankara local government area, killing three persons while several others were kidnapped.
A credible source in the area revealed that the bandits raided the mosque and opened fire on the Muslim faithful during the Ishai prayers, leaving three persons dead while four others were wounded and now receiving treatment at a hospital in the area.
He further explained that the hoodlums also moved into the community where they abducted a man and two women and killed a man who refused to go with them.
“Unfortunately, the man’s refusal to go with the assailants cost him his life as he was mercilessly killed for daring to defy the abductors,” the source said.
Similarly, the bandits also attacked the residence of Sani Maikifi, a vigilante member, in Ungwar Tudun Boka within Kankara township on Thursday night but he narrowly escaped through the backyard, shirking the clutches of the criminals but his wife and son were abducted.
The renewed attacks in the state have continued to raise concern in the state, despite the efforts of the security operative and members of the Community Watch Corps in the state.
At the time of this report, there were no comments from either the government or the State Police Command regarding the attack.