Enugu youths under the aegis of Ugwuaji Youths for Peace have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Commander of the National Forest Guard in Enugu State, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, to explain the alleged presence of unknown gunmen wielding AK-47 rifles alongside his personnel in Ugwuaji forests. They also demanded explanations over his alleged repeated meetings in the forests with an NDC chieftain, Mr Ben Alukwu, whom 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.
According to The counter-statement that was signed by Barr. Ogbodo Nwobodo on behalf of Ugwuaji Youths for Peace, it says“We have carefully read the press statement issued on 17 October 2026 by the National Forest Guard, Enugu State Command, in response to allegations of harassment, assault and involvement in land grabbing against the State Commander, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, and personnel under his command. 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. 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.”
The youths demanded that Olasoji 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. They questioned the authority under which the individuals carried the weapons and demanded relevant deployment records and arms authorisations. The group also challenged 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. They insisted that the purpose of the alleged meetings, the identities of the participants and the official records supporting their presence should be disclosed.
“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? 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.”
The youths faulted 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. They 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.
The group argued that residents and investors were entitled to question the activities of armed individuals in their environment and 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 personnels. Each averment 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. Demanding accountability is not an attack on security institutions, nor is it an attempt to undermine the fight against kidnapping as he alleged. 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 why they are operating alongside his men.”
The group gave Olasoji 72 hours from receipt of its statement to publicly address five issues: the identity, official status and authorisation of the alleged AK-47-wielding individuals; the legality of their deployment and arms authorisations; Alukwu’s identity, official capacity and role during the alleged forest meetings; whether he held any recognised appointment or authorisation within the National Forest Guard or another security agency; and the purpose of the alleged joint visits, including the official records establishing their legitimacy.
The youths also demanded clear and verifiable answers rather than another general statement about kidnapping, forest security or the establishment of a Forward Operating Base. They warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period would lead to a formal petition, accompanied by available supporting evidence, to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Minister of Defence and other appropriate security and investigative authorities.
“Consequently, we hereby give Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, the State Commander of the National Forest Guard, Enugu State Command, a 72-hour ultimatum from the receipt of this statement to publicly address the following: the identity, official status and authorisation of the individuals alleged to be carrying AK-47 rifles alongside Forest Guard personnel in the Ugwuaji–Obeagu forest area; the authority under which these individuals carry such weapons and whether their deployment and arms authorisations comply with the law; the identity, official capacity and specific role of Ben Alukwu during his alleged repeated presence with the Commander in the forests; whether Ben Alukwu holds any recognised appointment or authorisation within the National Forest Guard or any other security agency that permits him to participate in these operations; and the purpose of these alleged joint visits and the official records establishing their legitimacy. We expect clear, specific and verifiable answers, not another general statement about kidnapping, forest security or the establishment of a Forward Operating Base. Failure to address these questions within the stipulated period will compel us to submit a formal petition, together with any available supporting evidence, to the appropriate security authorities and other relevant investigative institutions for an independent investigation. We will also consider other lawful avenues for ensuring accountability and the protection of residents and investors.”
The youths reiterated their support for lawful security operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities but insisted that no security institution or public official should be exempt from scrutiny. They said they had prepared documents and evidence to be forwarded to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Defence concerning the allegations against Olasoji and Alukwu.
The group maintained that the same accountability expected of residents should apply to security personnel and called for a thorough examination of the allegations, stressing that their demands were aimed at obtaining explanations and protecting residents and investors rather than undermining legitimate security operations.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we support every lawful effort to combat kidnapping and protect lives and property. However, no security institution or public official is above scrutiny. The same standards of accountability expected of residents must apply to those entrusted with public security. Ugwuaji is not a lawless territory, and its forests must not become places where armed individuals operate without transparent identification, lawful authority and accountability. We have put in place all the necessary documents and evidence that will be forwarded to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Minister of Defence against Dr. Olasoji and Mr Ben Alukwu. We demand answers, not diversion. We demand accountability, not intimidation.”
