By Kazeem Akande

 

The National Youth Stakeholders Forum (NYSF) has urged the Federal Government to recruit Forest Guards to address the security crisis, particularly in Benue.

 

 

 

Mr Oladotun Hassan, the forum’s National Leader, made the call in a statement issued on Thursday, urging concrete reforms from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

 

 

 

He said it was time to overhaul Nigeria’s security framework and prioritise Forest Guard recruitment, increased intelligence funding, and better coordination among security agencies.

 

 

 

Hassan stressed the need to modernise military equipment and improve synergy among the armed forces, police, and intelligence services.

 

 

 

He called for improved welfare packages for security personnel to prevent corruption and ensure morale remains high in tackling insecurity.

 

 

 

According to him, the government must provide scholarships, free healthcare, and competitive salaries to match what is obtainable in the U.S. army.

 

 

 

Hassan also demanded swift justice for those behind the Benue massacre, including any public officials or security personnel found to be complicit.

 

 

 

He urged the Federal Government to begin genuine dialogue and reconciliation efforts to address the root causes of violence in Benue and other parts of Nigeria.

 

 

 

He said President Tinubu should resolve the herder-farmer conflicts and land disputes through the Nigeria Inter-Ethnic Nationalities Peace Commission.

 

 

 

The forum also urged the government to enhance regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the illegal flow of arms across Nigeria’s borders.

 

 

 

Hassan decried the killings in the Yelwata community of Benue, where scores of people were killed.

 

 

 

He asked the President to assess the situation critically and respond decisively to the crisis in Benue and other affected states.

 

 

 

Hassan called for immediate recruitment of able-bodied youths from vulnerable communities into Forest Guard units.

 

 

 

He also recommended creating a National Joint Regional Security Task Force Network Agency to complement existing security efforts.

 

 

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu has directed the Benue and Nasarawa governments to set up a peace committee.

 

 

 

The President gave the directive during a town hall meeting with Benue stakeholders as part of efforts to end the recurring violence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo