Isaac Abrak, a seasoned journalist and chairman of the Northern Christian Youth Professionals, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the newly approved Armed Forest Guard initiative is led by individuals with direct ties to the communities affected by insecurity across Nigeria.
In an open letter addressed to the president on Tuesday, Abrak emphasized that the success of the initiative will depend not on abstract theories or foreign-trained analysts, but on a grassroots approach led by locals who intimately understand the impact of violence and insecurity.
“The Forest Guard must be led not by theories, data sheets, or Harvard-trained analysts alone—but by those who bleed when our villages bleed,” he passionately wrote.
Drawing from his 16 years of experience reporting from Nigeria’s most volatile conflict zones, Abrak argued that the perpetrators of violence are often not outsiders, but individuals embedded within the very communities they attack. He stressed that the strategy to combat such threats must therefore begin within those communities.
“Whether Fulani, Tiv, or any other ethnic group, these perpetrators are either complicit or are enabling the violence. A community-based response is not just preferable—it is essential,” he stated.
Abrak recommended the recruitment of local hunters, retired military personnel, and vigilante members with deep-rooted ties to their communities, asserting that their involvement would be critical to the effectiveness of the Forest Guard.
Citing successful examples of similar grassroots-driven security models, Abrak referred to Lagos State’s LASTMA and LAWMA programs, which transformed previously unruly “Area Boys” into disciplined enforcers of order.
He also highlighted the achievements of Borno State’s Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), which empowered local youths to defend their communities against the terror of Boko Haram.
“If implemented with sincerity, the Armed Forest Guard can replicate the success stories of LASTMA, LAWMA, and the CJTF,” he noted confidently.
The veteran journalist lauded President Tinubu for fulfilling his campaign promise to launch the initiative, describing it as a “game-changer” and potentially Nigeria’s most transformative effort yet in addressing the country’s security challenges.
He praised the president’s history of innovation, particularly during his time as Lagos State Governor, where he overcame skepticism and opposition to introduce radical reforms that have stood the test of time.
Nonetheless, Abrak acknowledged that the initiative may face resistance. He warned that some critics might focus solely on the risks or obstacles, without truly understanding the pain and desperation of those living in terror-stricken regions.
“Many of those who will oppose this idea are not the ones burying their loved ones or watching their homes and farmlands go up in flames,” he wrote. “This is why your resolve must remain unshaken.”
Abrak described the Armed Forest Guard as “our last option—and our best hope” in the battle against insecurity, and urged President Tinubu to stay committed to the vision despite expected resistance.