Federal Government Launches Major Security Initiative in Plateau State
In a significant move to address persistent security challenges, the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 youths as forest guards in Plateau State. This strategic initiative aims to combat the security issues that have plagued the region for over two decades, particularly the devastating farmers-herdsmen clashes that have claimed thousands of lives.
Vice President Shettima Announces Recruitment and Infrastructure Plans
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the announcement during a reception for Governor Caleb Mutfwang into the All Progressive Congress on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Shettima emphasized that this recruitment represents a concrete step toward addressing the deep-rooted insecurity in Plateau State, with the dividends expected to manifest within the next three weeks.
The Vice President stated: "The president has authorized the recruitment of 1,000 youths for forest guard on the Plateau. The dividends will start coming in the next three weeks. The Akwanga-Jos road is vital to the people of Plateau."
Shettima further called on citizens to support Tinubu's administration, highlighting additional development projects including the imminent construction of the Akwanga-Jos Road and plans to make Plateau State the launch site for the national livestock development project.
Decades of Conflict and Human Cost
The security situation in Plateau State has been particularly dire, with reports indicating that more than 11,000 people have lost their lives in the past twenty years due to persistent conflicts. These clashes, primarily between farmers and herdsmen in rural areas, have created a humanitarian crisis and severely impacted the state's development.
The newly recruited forest guards will be tasked with monitoring forest areas and curbing criminal activities in regions that have historically been difficult to govern effectively. This approach forms part of a broader national strategy to enhance security through community-based initiatives.
National Context of Forest Guard Recruitment
This Plateau State recruitment follows the recent deployment of 7,000 newly trained Forest Guards from seven frontline states across Nigeria. The Office of the National Security Adviser has been instrumental in this national program, which aims to protect Nigeria's natural reserves while addressing security concerns.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has explained that the forest guards program is designed to monitor forests and prevent criminal activities in ungoverned spaces. The initiative is closely linked with anti-drug efforts led by NDLEA chief Buba Marwa, creating a comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity nationwide.
Looking forward, the federal government plans to expand this program significantly, with each state expected to recruit between 2,000 to 5,000 guards as part of the National Forest Guards initiative. This could potentially lead to the recruitment of up to 180,000 forest guards across Nigeria, representing one of the largest security employment programs in recent history.
The approval of 1,000 forest guards for Plateau State represents both an immediate response to local security needs and a component of a broader national strategy to enhance security through employment and community engagement. As Vice President Shettima noted, this initiative marks "just the tip of the iceberg" in terms of development projects planned for the region under the current administration.
