Christian group hails Tinubu's Oyo forest guard approval, warns against delays

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards for Oyo State, viewing it as a crucial step to bolster internal security. The group lauded the decision as a demonstration of the President's commitment to addressing insecurity and expanding the Forest Guard initiative nationwide.

However, the NCYP issued a strong caution against any delays in implementing the program. They pointed to the experience of Plateau State, where a similar approval for Forest Guards, announced on January 27, 2026, has yet to result in operational deployment months later. This highlights a critical implementation gap that the NCYP insists must be urgently addressed.

The organization stressed that security policies must translate into tangible action through recruitment, training, and deployment, rather than remaining mere announcements. They expressed optimism that the recent appointment of retired Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security would improve coordination and accelerate the implementation of key security policies.

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This highlights a critical implementation gap that must be urgently addressed to ensure that such approvals translate into effective security presence.

The NCYP believes that delays in operationalizing security interventions weaken their intended impact and create opportunities for criminal elements. They advocated for the immediate establishment and operationalization of Forest Guards in all states, arguing that a nationwide framework would enhance surveillance of forest corridors, improve intelligence gathering, and support ongoing military and security operations.

Furthermore, the group recommended recruiting Forest Guards from local host and forest communities, asserting that these residents possess superior knowledge of the terrain. The NCYP also called for effective inter-agency collaboration to ensure that approved security initiatives are rapidly operationalized.

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The group expressed optimism that the appointment of retired Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security would strengthen coordination and accelerate the implementation of key security policies.