News
Group Demands Immediate Deployment of Forest Guards to Plateau as Terrorists Exploit Ungoverned Forests
Group Demands Immediate Deployment of Forest Guards to Plateau as Terrorists Exploit Ungoverned Forests
By: Michael Mike
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has called for the urgent deployment of trained Forest Guards to Plateau State and other vulnerable parts of Northern Nigeria, warning that terrorists and criminal groups are increasingly exploiting vast ungoverned forests to launch deadly attacks on communities.
The group made the call on Monday while commending the Kaduna State Government for commencing the training of Forest Guards as part of efforts to strengthen security across forested areas of the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, the NCYP described the Kaduna initiative as a timely and strategic intervention that aligns with the Federal Government’s broader efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reclaim forests and remote territories from terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
According to the group, the forests stretching across parts of Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, and other northern states have become operational bases for armed groups responsible for attacks on communities, abductions, destruction of farmlands, and the displacement of thousands of residents.
“Kaduna’s decision to train Forest Guards demonstrates the kind of proactive leadership required to address the growing security threats facing our region,” the statement said. “However, the security challenge is not limited to Kaduna. Plateau State, in particular, urgently requires a similar intervention due to the persistent attacks on rural communities and the exploitation of forest corridors by terrorists and criminal gangs.”
The NCYP noted that Plateau has witnessed repeated incidents of violence in recent years, resulting in significant loss of lives, destruction of property, and heightened humanitarian concerns. The group argued that deploying well-trained and properly equipped Forest Guards would help improve intelligence gathering, deny criminal groups safe havens, and strengthen collaboration between local communities and conventional security agencies.
The youth organisation further urged the Federal Government, security agencies, and state governments across the North to accelerate the establishment and deployment of Forest Guard units as part of a comprehensive security strategy aimed at restoring peace and stability.
It stressed that reclaiming forests and ungoverned spaces is critical to defeating insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, adding that communities can only thrive when citizens feel secure enough to engage in farming, commerce, and other economic activities.
The NCYP also called for adequate funding, professional training, modern surveillance technology, and strict accountability mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness of the Forest Guard programme.
“As terrorists continue to exploit difficult terrains and remote forests, Nigeria cannot afford to leave these areas unprotected. The successful deployment of Forest Guards across vulnerable states will significantly enhance national security and help restore public confidence,” the group stated.
The organisation reaffirmed its support for all genuine efforts aimed at addressing insecurity and promoting lasting peace across Northern Nigeria, while urging authorities to act swiftly before criminal groups further consolidate their presence in vulnerable communities.
Group Demands Immediate Deployment of Forest Guards to Plateau as Terrorists Exploit Ungoverned Forests
Troops Rescue Farmer Shot by Suspected Armed Herders in Plateau, Recover Abandoned Cattle
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have rescued a farmer who was shot by suspected armed herders during an attack in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. on June 29 around Jebbu Miango community, where the assailants attacked a farmer identified as Mr. Lambat.
The sources said troops swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee the area before they could inflict further harm.
During the intervention, the troops rescued the victim, who had sustained gunshot wounds, and evacuated him to ENOS Hospital in Miango for urgent medical treatment.
The troops also recovered a herd of cattle abandoned by the fleeing suspects. The animals were moved to a secure location pending identification of their rightful owners and further necessary action by the relevant authorities.
Security sources said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks in the area.
Troops Rescue Farmer Shot by Suspected Armed Herders in Plateau, Recover Abandoned Cattle
Missing Man Found Dead at Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
The corpse of a man earlier reported missing has been recovered at an illegal mining site in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 3, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), responded to a report at about 7:30 a.m. on June 29 that one Mr. Jerry had gone missing from the Rantya area.
The sources said the troops, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), launched a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bushes.
During the operation, the search team discovered the victim’s corpse at a mining site. The body bore gunshot wounds as well as machete cuts.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased had left home for illegal mining activities but failed to return, prompting concerns from relatives and the subsequent search operation.
Security sources said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing and identify those responsible.
Missing Man Found Dead at Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
Military Delivers Decisive Air Strike on Bandit Enclave Along Niger–Kaduna–Zamfara Border
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian military, in continuation of its sustained air campaign against armed bandits and other criminal elements threatening national security, has recorded another significant operational success with a precision air strike targeting a major gathering of bandits at Dogon Dawa, along the strategic Niger–Kaduna–Zamfara border.
Credible operational sources confirmed that the strike was executed after intelligence indicated that a large number of armed bandits had converged at the location to coordinate and plan a series of attacks against nearby communities.
The precision engagement effectively struck the gathering, resulting in the neutralisation of a substantial number of the terrorists. Intelligence obtained following the operation also indicated that more than hundreds of motorcycles, believed to have been assembled for the planned offensive and mobility of the criminal elements, were present at the target area at the time of the strike.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) and follow-up intelligence further revealed that several surviving terrorists, many of them wounded, fled in disarray towards the forests between Shadadi and Ma’undu through the Mangwaro axis, abandoning their coordinated plans as the devastating effects of the air strike disrupted their operations.
The successful mission illustrated the effectiveness in employing intelligence-driven precision air power to deny criminal groups freedom of movement, disrupt their command structures, and degrade their operational capabilities before attacks can be launched against innocent civilians.
This operation also reflects the seamless synergy between intelligence agencies and the Air Component in identifying, tracking, and engaging high-value terrorist and bandit targets with remarkable precision while sustaining pressure on criminal networks across the North-West and North-Central theatres.
Military Delivers Decisive Air Strike on Bandit Enclave Along Niger–Kaduna–Zamfara Border
Troops Rescue Farmer Shot by Suspected Armed Herders in Plateau, Recover Abandoned Cattle
Missing Man Found Dead at Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
Military Delivers Decisive Air Strike on Bandit Enclave Along Niger–Kaduna–Zamfara Border
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
