Explain role with gunmen, Enugu youths tell forest guard commander

Enugu youths under the aegis of Ugwuaji Youths for Peace at the weekend handed down a 72-hour ultimatum to the Commander of the National Forest Guard in Enugu state, Dr. Akinbayo Olasoji, to explain the alleged presence of unknown gunmen wielding AK-47 rifles alongside his personnel in Ugwuaji forests.

The youths in a statement signed by Barr. Ogbodo Nwobodo on their behalf also demanded explanations over his alleged repeated meetings in the forests with an NDC chieftain, Mr Ben Alukwu, who they claimed was neither from Ugwuaji nor owned property in the area.

Reacting to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the National Forest Guard, Enugu state command, on October 17, 2026, the youths accused Olasoji of avoiding allegations of harassment, assault and involvement in land grabbing.

“We consider the statement an attempt to divert attention from the specific allegations raised against the Command. Rather than address the central issues, the Commander has chosen to recount previous security incidents and discuss the reasons for establishing a Forward Operating Base in the Ugwuaji–Obeagu forest area”, they said.

The youths added, “While we recognise the need to protect residents against kidnapping and other criminal activities, security operations must not become an excuse for evading legitimate questions about the conduct of personnel.”

They further demanded that Olasoji should identify the individuals allegedly carrying AK-47 rifles alongside Forest Guard personnel in the Ugwuaji–Obeagu forest area and explain their official status, recruitment, training, authorisation and chain of command”, questioning the authority under which the individuals carried the weapons and demanded relevant deployment records and arms authorisations.

Also challenging the commander to explain his alleged repeated presence in the forests with Mr. Alukwu, asking whether the NDC chieftain was a recognised security chief, an appointed Forest Guard officer or a member of another security agency authorised to participate in the operations, the youths insisted that the purpose of the alleged meetings, the identities of the participants and the official records supporting their presence should be disclosed.

According to the youths, “Dr. Olasoji must explain why unknown individuals alleged to be operating alongside his personnel in our forests are carrying AK-47 rifles. Who are these individuals?, saying, “Are they duly recruited, trained and authorised members of the National Forest Guard? Under whose authority are they carrying such weapons, and where are their deployment records and relevant arms authorisations?

“We also challenge Dr. Olasoji to explain his alleged repeated presence in the forests with one Ben Alukwu. What official capacity does Alukwu occupy in these operations? Is Ben Alukwu, who is known to us as a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a recognised security chief, a duly appointed Forest Guard officer or a member of any security agency authorised to participate in such deployments?

“If he holds an official position, the Commander should state it clearly and provide the basis for his involvement. If these encounters are legitimate security operations, there should be no difficulty in explaining who participated, the purpose of the visits, the authority under which they took place and the official records supporting them.”

While faulting the commander for citing previous kidnapping incidents and an alleged attack on Forest Guard personnel without directly answering the allegations concerning the armed individuals and Alukwu’s alleged presence in the forests, the youths maintained that previous security threats which were lies, still could not automatically justify every subsequent action by personnel and insisted that each statement made against the Command should be investigated on its own merits.

Emphasising that the youths residents and investors were entitled to question the activities of armed individuals in their environment, they challenged Olasoji to refute any false allegations with verifiable evidence, identify authorised personnel through official channels and explain why unauthorised individuals were allegedly operating alongside his men.

“We find it troubling that the Commander’s statement discusses sugarcoated historical kidnapping incidents and an alleged attack on Forest Guard personnel but fails to provide direct answers to the concerns about AK-47-wielding individuals and Ben Alukwu’s alleged presence in the forests.

“Previous non existent security threats cannot automatically justify every subsequent action by forest Guard personnel. Each allegation made against Enugu forest guard must be investigated on its own merits. Dr. Olasoji must understand that Ugwuaji residents and investors are entitled to ask questions about the activities of armed individuals operating in their environment,” they said.

Stating that “accountability is not an attack on security institutions, nor is it an attempt to undermine the fight against kidnapping as he alleged, the youths said, “We therefore challenge the commander to explain why he would issue a lengthy statement that avoids the central questions instead of providing verifiable facts.

“If the allegations are false, he should refute them with evidence. If the individuals involved are authorised personnel, he should identify them through the appropriate official channels. If they are not, he must explain within 72-hour why they are operating alongside his men.”