News
NYCP Congratulates Tinubu on Delivery on Forest Guard Promise

NYCP Congratulates Tinubu on Delivery on Forest Guard Promise
….Calls for Community-Led Implementation
By: Michael Mike
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu for fulfilling one of his key campaign promises — the revitalization of the Forest Guard.
The group said as outlined on page 9 of the President’s Renewed Hope manifesto (2022), he has delivered on it, noting that this critical move marks a decisive step in addressing the security challenges posed by violent groups hiding in Nigeria’s forests.
A statement by the National President of the group, Isaac Abrak read: “We commend President Tinubu for not only remaining true to his word but also for demonstrating that he has listened to the consistent calls by our organisation and other concerned Nigerians.
“The revitalization of the Forest Guard was the cornerstone of our campaign across the Northern region. At several campaign engagements, we urged Nigerians, especially those from vulnerable communities, to support President Tinubu, assuring them that he would establish community-based security outfits and recruit local youth to protect their forests and communities. Today, we are grateful that this vision is being realized.”
Abrak further said: “This achievement vindicates our decision to campaign vigorously for President Tinubu. To God be the glory.”
He added that: “As this initiative moves to implementation, we call on the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure that recruitment into the Forest Guard is driven by community inclusion and integrity. We firmly reiterate our belief that individuals residing in and around the 1,129 forest areas across Nigeria should be prioritized for recruitment. Their familiarity with the terrain gives them a unique advantage in combating criminal elements and maintaining security within these forests.
“Moreover, the success of this initiative will depend heavily on a transparent and depoliticized recruitment process. We urge the Federal Government to avoid making the Forest Guard an avenue for political patronage or the recruitment of individuals with questionable backgrounds. Community leaders and security agencies such as the DSS must be consulted to vet candidates thoroughly. Only Nigerians with a genuine commitment to protecting their communities should be enlisted.
“Similarly we reiterate that at inception the Forest Gaurd can recruit and empoy a total of 185,000 youths taking 5000 from each state including the Federal Capital Territory-Abuja.”
He posited that: “The Forest Guard could represent the last viable line of defense in the effort to curb terrorism and banditry in both the North and South. Therefore, the integrity and effectiveness of this unit must not be compromised. We caution all stakeholders — including the President, the National Security Adviser, and relevant ministries — to shield this initiative from political interference.
“During training, recruits must be imbued with values of patriotism, discipline, citizenship, and the One Nigeria dream envisioned by our founding fathers. These values should guide their conduct and deepen their loyalty to the nation.”
He said: “The NCYP remains committed to supporting the government, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the Federal Ministry of Environment headed by Alhaji Balarebe Abbas Lawal, as they carry out this critical national assignment. We are ready to collaborate in community sensitization, monitoring, and providing local insights to ensure the success of this initiative.
“We believe that, with sincere implementation, the revitalized Forest Guard will become a cornerstone in securing Nigeria’s forests and protecting its citizens.”
NYCP Congratulates Tinubu on Delivery on Forest Guard Promise
News
Troops Neutralise Two Bandits, Recover Weapon in Plateau

Troops Neutralise Two Bandits, Recover Weapon in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN have neutralised two suspected bandits and recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle during a military operation in Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation took place on May 15 at about 10:00 p.m. in Nemaledu village, Gimbi District, Wase Local Government Area of the state.
The sources said the troops, acting on credible intelligence, laid an ambush at a known crossing point used by the bandits.
“During the operation, the troops made contact with the bandits and in the ensuing exchange of fire, neutralised two of them.
“One fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered from the neutralised bandits,” said the source.
Troops Neutralise Two Bandits, Recover Weapon in Plateau
News
NAF Obliterates Terrorist Enclave, Kill scores of ISWAP in Timbuktu Triangle

NAF Obliterates Terrorist Enclave, Kill scores of ISWAP in Timbuktu Triangle
By: Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has successfully conducted a precision air interdiction mission that neutralised scores of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed key logistics structures in the Timbuktu Triangle general area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that the airstrike took place on Thursday at approximately 1500 hours, targeting a known terrorist enclave in Chiraliya within the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious ISWAP stronghold.
“Acting on credible intelligence and real-time surveillance, our platforms conducted a deliberate and highly coordinated air interdiction at the Chiraliya terrorists’ hideout,”the sources said.
“We achieved direct hits on multiple targets, including makeshift shelters, logistics stores, and enemy movement corridors.” he said.
The source explained that the Battle damage assessment revealed the effective neutralisation of several terrorist fighters and the destruction of critical infrastructure supporting their operations.
Survivors are observed abandoning positions and blending into the forest, indicating heavy losses and a successful disruption of their operational momentum,” he noted.
“The ISR footage clearly showed secondary explosions, indicating the presence of arms and fuel depots, while fleeing terrorists were tracked and eliminated through follow-on engagements,” the sources added.
The operation, part of sustained offensive air campaigns under OPHK, was aimed at disrupting ISWAP’s capacity to regroup and launch attacks on troops and civilian communities in the region.
NAF Obliterates Terrorist Enclave, Kill scores of ISWAP in Timbuktu Triangle
News
Another Pipeline Bursts

Another Pipeline Bursts
…Trans Niger Pipeline eruption in B-Dere community in Ogoniland
By: Michael Mike
The Trans Niger Pipeline erupted and triggered streams of crude oil flowing through B-Dere community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident happened on May 6th, 2025, and the cause of the explosion is said to be equipment failure.

Recalled that a similar explosion occurred in the Bodo community on the 17th of March 2025, which caused a massive fire that spread through the mangroves.
These spils show very clearly the massive risks the communities will be exposed to if the desire of the federal government to resume oil extraction in Ogoniland happens. Many of the B-Dere community people have been internally displaced while those already impacted by the spill are living in fear over the health and safety.
On a visit by HOMEF team along with other CSOs a visit to the spill site, we met distressed indigenes of the community who expressed the high level of pain and a sense of exposure and abandonment.
The woman leader of the community, Chief Mrs Augustina Biebie, stated that the level of restlessness in the community has only worsened. “The spill brought crude oil into houses of many of our people. The thick smell of crude oil has affected our health. Breathing has become a problem, and it has become difficult to even feed because some of us cannot light fires in our kitchens.”

Pastor Kpobari Bani, whose house was affected, stated that “Since this incident started, I have not been able to cook for fear of explosion. My mother has been displaced and has moved to a neighbour’s house for fear of the explosion. Shell said it has sold to Renaissance Oil, who now owns the pipeline. So we call on them to come and stop the spill. We also call on the government and other relevant authorities to come to our aid and bring remedy to the land.”
The Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr. Nnimmo Bassey expressed disappointment over the level of neglect to communities.
“We are in a disaster zone and further disasters can erupt from even an accidental a spark of fire. The slow response of government and oil companies underscores the lack of care for the people and the environment. This level of laxity is absolutely unconscionable. The fact that this spill that happened a week ago is yet to be stopped sends a very strong point to why government should focus on cleaning up Ogoniland and not seek to open new oil wells. The old wells should be shut down, and decommissioned. Our communities must not continue to be sacrificed on the altar of petrodollars.”
Bassey further calls on all relevant authorities to move into action to curtail the spread of the flowing crude.
“The government cannot be silent at a time as this. This is a time when all agencies should be here to stop halting the shit down the pipeline, stop the pollution and carry out urgent clean up and remediation. We call on NOSDRA, NESRA, MENA and HYPREP to move into swift action to stem the unfolding ecological and human crises.”
Also, Celestine Akpobari, an environmental activist, stated that “This is one of the reasons why we have rejected the idea of restarting oil exploitation in Ogoni. The exploitation has not started, but the situation is becoming more volatile with spills of this nature. This is supposed to be a remediation site, but as you can see it is an ecological crime scene. We are afraid that if this is not properly contained, the damage will be far worse than what we see.”
HOMEF calls for a swift action to plug the leakage, remediate the land and carry out a thorough health audit on the exposed people of the community. Government must show that they care for the people and the environment. Aged oil facilities should be decommissioned and retired, and all alleged divestments should be nullified to ensure that those who have made our communities literal land mines do not walk away from accountability.
Another Pipeline Bursts
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