President of the Youth Camp Exchange for Peace and Development in Nigeria, Hamisu Lamido Iyantama, has called on the Kano State Government to establish Community Defense and Peace Units (CDPUs) across all 44 local government areas as part of efforts to curb rising insecurity, especially in border communities.
In a follow-up proposal addressed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Tuesday in Kano, Iyantama commended the administration’s continuous efforts toward promoting peace, security, and development in the state, while urging the governor to adopt new community-based strategies to address emerging security threats.
He said the proposed CDPUs would recruit about 500 disciplined and patriotic youths per local government area to serve as trained community defense and peace personnel.
“Each local government area should recruit about 500 disciplined and patriotic youths, to be vetted, trained, and deployed as community defense and peace personnel dedicated solely to protecting lives and property,” the statement said.
Iyantama suggested that the initiative should be backed by law through an executive order or legislation by the Kano State House of Assembly to ensure legitimacy and sustainability.
He added that the structure should align with existing national frameworks such as the Community Policing Policy and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Act to guarantee coordination with federal security agencies.
Iyantama further recommended the creation of a State Security Coordination Committee (SSCC), chaired by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, to manage intelligence sharing and operational deployment.
“The trained personnel should operate in close coordination with the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence, and local vigilante groups to ensure a professional, intelligence-driven, and harmonized approach to security operations,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for training and capacity building in areas such as firearm safety, intelligence gathering, human rights, and first aid, while proposing welfare packages and reintegration programs for the recruited youths.
“Considering the current unemployment situation, each recruited personnel should receive reasonable remuneration and allowances to ensure motivation and discipline,” Iyantama added.
He proposed that the initiative be funded jointly by the state government, local governments, and private sector contributions through the Kano State Security Trust Fund, with transparency ensured through periodic audits and public reporting.
On accountability, Iyantama called for biometric registration of personnel and weapons, alongside the establishment of an Independent Oversight Board to investigate misconduct, misuse of firearms, or corruption.
He also highlighted the importance of involving traditional and religious leaders in recruitment, intelligence gathering, and peace education.
“This community ownership model will enhance credibility, trust, and information flow between citizens and security units,” he said.
Concluding the proposal, Iyantama said the initiative would not only improve security but also create jobs and empower thousands of young people.
“If every local government in Kano State recruits and trains 500 disciplined youths—especially those in border communities—this initiative will create thousands of jobs, enhance vigilance, and drastically reduce insecurity,” he said.
He urged Governor Yusuf to integrate the proposal into his administration’s broader security and youth empowerment agenda, expressing confidence that with the guidance of Allah and the governor’s visionary leadership, lasting peace, unity, and prosperity would be achieved across the state.
