…Canvasses Establishment of Community based Forest Guard
With recent kidnappings of students from schools in the North and subsequent suspension of classes in many secondary schools across the region, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has questioned the effectiveness and visibility of the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) and its partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The group in a signed statement by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak while expressing deep concern over the renewed wave of attacks on schools across northern Nigeria, resulting in tragic killings and mass abductions of innocent students, said these heartbreaking incidents call into question the effectiveness and visibility of the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) and its partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The statement read that following the abduction of more than 200 students at the Government Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga Community, Kaduna State, NCYP urged President Bola Tinubu to recruit community members—particularly those living in remote and forest-surrounded areas—into the Forest Guard and deploy them to protect schools.
The statement read: “Shortly after, the Safe Schools Initiative announced a partnership with the NSCDC to secure schools in these high-risk locations. Although this move differed from NCYP’s original recommendation, which emphasized the direct recruitment of local community members into the Forest Guard, NCYP welcomed the development and awaited its implementation.
“However, with the resurgence of violent attacks on schools, NCYP is compelled to ask: What role did the Safe Schools Initiative–NSCDC partnership play in protecting the schools that were attacked?
“Specifically, what preventive or responsive measures were taken regarding the recent attacks on: Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State; St. Mary’s School, Agwara LGA, Niger State In these incidents, several individuals lost their lives, and dozens of children were abducted. These painful events demand accountability.”
The group stated that: “Since its establishment after the 2014 Chibok abduction, the Safe Schools Initiative has received significant support from multiple sources: Private sector/business leaders: $10 million pledged as seed funding for pilot programmes. Federal Government of Nigeria: ~$10 million pledged for Safe Schools Fund initiatives.
“Additional government support (FEC-approved boost): $4.2 million; United States Government (USAID / Embassy): $2 million contributed to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF); Qatar Government: $2 million contributed to MDTF.
“In total, publicly reported donations and pledges exceed $20 million, channeled through government accounts, MDTFs, and implementing partners. Despite this tremendous national and international backing, the Initiative has remained largely silent while terrorists continue to target schools, particularly in northern Nigeria.
“NCYP therefore calls for a comprehensive public report from the Safe Schools Initiative, detailing: Activities in the affected states and nationwide interventions.
“Programmatic expenditure reports, showing exactly how donations have been applied — including school infrastructure rebuilding, security measures, teacher training, learner materials, community engagement, and programs specifically supporting girls’ education.
“Lists of implementing partners and contracts, specifying NGOs, government agencies, UN bodies, and private sector partners involved, along with amounts allocated to each.
“Monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment reports, showing outcomes achieved, targets reached, and improvements made to enhance school safety.
The group said: “Making this information public is especially urgent at this time: renewed attacks have highlighted the vulnerability of our schools, and there is growing interest from private individuals, international organizations, donor governments, and other bodies who may wish to contribute additional support. Transparency will reassure potential donors, encourage further investment in school safety, and enable interventions that protect children—especially girls—in Northern regions where cultural and security barriers make education fragile.”
The statement added: “NCYP reaffirms its call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement his approved Forest Guard program fully. This initiative was celebrated by millions of Nigerians, especially rural communities, who remain the primary victims of terrorist attacks.
“As NCYP first recommended in April 2014, community members are the most committed defenders of their own schools and children. Forest Guards drawn from these communities will be safeguarding their own families. There is no substitute for the vigilance, courage, and determination of parents protecting their children.
“We therefore urge Mr. President to ensure that the Forest Guard becomes a community-focused and community-driven security structure, not a distant or bureaucratic institution.”
NCYP further called on President Donald Trump, the United States Congress, and the American people to support President Tinubu in establishing a community-driven Forest Guard capable of protecting vulnerable communities and combating violent groups operating from forested regions.
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