Forest guards can effectively secure schools in Nigeria, especially in remote areas, as advocated by the Northern Christian Youth Professionals.
In commemoration of the tragic abduction of the Chibok school girls by Boko Haram a decade ago, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals emphasise the urgent need for forest guard empowerment to prevent school kidnappings.
Despite commendable efforts from the government and civil society organisations, the release of the remaining abducted girls is paramount. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is urged to fulfil his campaign promise and prioritise their release.
Recent incidents, such as the abduction of primary school children in Kaduna, highlight the pressing need for innovative security approaches. The revitalisation of forest guards is hailed as a visionary step towards safeguarding schools.
Community Engagement: Enlist residents from forest communities as school security personnel to utilise their local knowledge effectively.
Increased Surveillance: Deploy forest guard units for regular patrols around schools in forested or rural areas to deter potential kidnappers.
Intelligence Gathering: Utilise the network of forest dwellers to gather timely intelligence on threats to schools.
Collaboration with Schools: Foster close collaboration between forest guards and school authorities to develop tailored security protocols.
Empowerment and Training: Provide training, resources, and support to empower forest dwellers and rural communities to take ownership of school security.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate communities on the importance of school security and encourage proactive reporting of security concerns.
Coordination with Law Enforcement: Establish effective communication channels between forest guards and local police to enhance overall security measures.
Regular Evaluation: Conduct frequent evaluations of school security measures and solicit feedback from stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.
By harnessing the local knowledge and resources of forest communities, the revitalised forest guard offers a promising solution to the persistent school security challenges in Nigeria.
