Youths of an Enugu community, under the aegis of Ugwuaji Youths for Peace, have accused the Forest Guard in the state of using AK-47 rifles to harass residents and investors.
The youths called on the police, the military and other security agencies to intervene urgently, investigate the reported activities of the armed men and ensure the safety of residents and investors.
In a statement signed by the group’s chairman, Barr. Ogbodo Nwobodo, and made available to journalists in Enugu on Friday, the youths condemned what they described as the harassment and intimidation of residents by unidentified armed men allegedly operating under the guise of Forest Guard personnel.
According to the youths, “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 group accused the Enugu State Commander of the Forest Guard, Dr Akinbayo O. Olasoji of failing to address residents’ concerns over the activities of the armed men, questioning whether Forest Guard personnel were being used to facilitate land grabbing.
“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. We, therefore, call on him to exercise caution and desist from actions and statements capable of escalating tension in Ugwuaji,” they said.
They further questioned the authority under which armed men carrying AK-47 rifles were operating without clearly identifiable uniforms, demanding that their identities, affiliations and chain of command be established.
The group 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; and other relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of the armed men, the reported assaults on women and other residents, and allegations of land grabbing and illegal land dealings in the area.
It also urged the authorities to examine the photographs and video recordings attached to the statement to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found to have engaged in unlawful activities was brought to justice.
“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 said.
The youths further called for Olasoji’s immediate removal as Forest Guard Commander in Enugu State, alleging that he had been involved in a series of actions inimical to peace and the vision of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
The group also appealed to youths and 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.
