The Northern Christian Youth Professionals have condemned the recent attack on Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where armed bandits reportedly moved unchallenged through the community, invaded three churches, abducted 169 persons and retreated freely into the forest.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Isaac Abrack, and made available to newsmen on Thursday, the NCYP described the incident as a clear demonstration of the gaps in Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
The group said that had members of the Kurmin Wali community been recruited, trained and deployed as part of a functional Forest Guard, the attack could have been prevented, resisted or at least disrupted through early warning and collaboration with security agencies.
“The attackers operated without any resistance, a situation that should deeply concern all Nigerians,” the statement read.
The NCYP commended the commitment of President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for addressing insecurity and restoring peace, but stressed that the attack underscores the urgent need to strengthen and properly implement security interventions.
Recalling President Tinubu’s pledge to revitalise the Forest Guard, the NCYP said the success of the initiative largely depends on who is recruited.
“A Forest Guard that excludes people who live in and understand forest communities will fall short of its intended impact,” the statement added.
The group emphasised that if residents of Kurmin Wali had been empowered, trained and equipped to protect their forests, the attackers would not have found it so easy to operate.
The NCYP noted that criminal groups thrive where there is no resistance, and that structured local involvement would drastically reduce, if not end, such attacks.
Highlighting the limitations of permanently stationing military and police personnel in every forested area, the NCYP urged the government to prioritise a community-driven Forest Guard composed of indigenous forest dwellers.
“Those living on the frontlines, who are most victimised, must be allowed structured participation in protecting their lives and property,” the statement said.
The group also urged President Tinubu to fill the critical local component gap in the Forest Guard to ensure it delivers the results envisioned in his campaign manifesto.
“As Northern Christian Youth Professionals who actively campaigned for you during the 2022/2023 elections, particularly on the promise of a functional Forest Guard, we look forward to returning to our communities in 2027 with a fulfilled promise,” the statement concluded.
