…Allege harassment, assault on women, land grabbing; command defends deployment
Tension is mounting in Ugwuaji community in Enugu South Local Government Area, Enugu State, following a standoff between community youths and the National Forest Guard over the activities of armed men in the area.
The youths are demanding the immediate removal of the state commander, Dr Akinbayo O. Olasoji, over alleged harassment of residents, assault on women and aiding land grabbers.
The youths, under the aegis of Ugwuaji Youths for Peace, have called on the police, military and other security agencies to intervene urgently, accusing the commander of failing to address their concerns over the activities of unidentified men allegedly wielding AK-47 rifles and operating under the guise of forest guards.
The development has heightened concerns over security in the community as the youths alleged that armed men were intimidating residents and investors over land matters.
In a statement issued in Enugu on Friday and signed by its chairman, Ogbodo Nwobodo, the group rejected Olasoji’s account of the incident, insisting that it did not reflect the experiences of their people.
The youths alleged that the armed men had been moving around the community without identifiable uniforms, harassing residents and assaulting women, while questioning the authority under which they were operating.
“Our people are wondering when forest guards started wielding AK-47 rifles and using their positions to intimidate residents over land matters. These men have subjected our people to intimidation, while our women have been beaten by these armed individuals. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue in any civilised society,” the statement said.
The group expressed concern that the presence of the armed men could further worsen tension in the community if the authorities failed to establish their identities and the purpose of their operations.
It demanded to know who deployed the men, their official affiliations and chain of command, as well as whether their activities were connected to alleged land grabbing and illegal land transactions around some forests in the area.
“We find it disturbing that Dr Olasoji, who should be promoting peace and ensuring that those under his command operate within the law, would issue a statement portraying the situation in a manner that fails to address the suffering of our people,” the youths said.
“We therefore call on him to exercise caution and desist from actions and statements capable of escalating tension in Ugwuaji.”
The youths insisted that their community would not accept a situation in which armed individuals allegedly harassed residents and assaulted women without consequences, adding that the possession of firearms did not place anyone above the law.
They called on the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command; the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Nigerian Army; the Garrison Commander; the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to investigate the allegations.
The group also urged the security agencies to examine photographs and video recordings attached to its statement to establish the identities of the armed men and determine whether any forest guard personnel had been involved in intimidating residents or investors.
“Available pictures and video recordings provided should be examined to establish the facts and ensure that those wielding AK-47 rifles are arrested and brought to justice,” the statement added.
The youths called for Olasoji’s immediate removal as Forest Guard commander in Enugu State, alleging that he had been involved in actions inimical to peace and the vision of Governor Peter Mbah.
They urged the state government to investigate the alleged land grabbing and illegal transactions, protect residents and investors, and restore confidence in the security of the community.
Despite their grievances, the youths appealed to residents to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands, insisting that justice, accountability and the protection of lives and property must remain paramount.
However, the National Forest Guard, Enugu State Command, has defended its presence in the Ugwuaji–Obeagu forest corridor, saying its Forward Operating Base was established to tackle reported criminal activities, including kidnapping and abduction.
In a statement dated October 17, the command cited reported incidents in May and August 2026 as reasons for maintaining a security presence in the area.
The command said it did not authorise land grabbing, intimidation of residents or assault on anyone, including women, adding, “The security reasons for the deployment must not be overlooked, and no individual may rely on those reasons to excuse misconduct.”
It called for an investigation into both the allegations against its personnel and the reported attack on its operatives, and urged affected residents to submit evidence to the appropriate authorities.
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