Enugu youths give Forest Guard Commander 72-hour ultimatum over alleged AK-47-wielding men
Youth Group Demands Clarification from Forest Guard Commander
A youth organization in Enugu State is calling for accountability from Dr. Olasoji, the Commander of the National Forest Guard, following reports of his alleged repeated meetings with Ben Alukwu, an official from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The group claims that Alukwu lacks property ownership in Ugwuaji and questions the nature of his involvement in security operations.
On October 17, 2026, the Public Relations Officer for the National Forest Guard issued a statement responding to accusations against Dr. Olasoji regarding harassment, assault, and land grabbing. However, local youths assert that these allegations have not been adequately addressed.
“While we recognize the need for security against criminal activities, operations must not be a shield for avoiding legitimate questions regarding personnel conduct,” said a spokesperson for the group.
The youths are particularly concerned about reports of individuals allegedly armed with AK-47 rifles operating alongside Forest Guard personnel in the Ugwuaji–Obeagu forest area. They are asking Dr. Olasoji to clarify the identity, recruitment status, and training of these individuals, as well as the legal authority under which they are carrying weapons.
Moreover, they have challenged the Commander to provide documentation regarding the alleged meetings with Alukwu. The spokesperson emphasized the need for clarity about whether Alukwu is a recognized security chief or holds an official position that grants him authority in these operations.
“Dr. Olasoji must clarify why unidentified individuals purportedly working with his personnel are armed,” the spokesperson stated. “Who are these individuals? Are they formal members of the National Forest Guard? Under what authority are they bearing arms, and where are their deployment records?”
The youths are urging the Commander to transparently address their concerns about the identities of all participants in these forest meetings, the purpose of those gatherings, and to furnish official records that substantiate their claims.
They criticized Olasoji for referencing past security incidents, including a kidnapping and alleged attacks on Forest Guard staff, without directly addressing the specific allegations surrounding armed individuals and Alukwu’s involvement.
The group asserted that security threats in the past do not justify the actions of personnel without proper oversight. They reiterated that residents are entitled to seek information about armed individuals in their vicinity and challenged Olasoji to provide evidence disproving any unfounded allegations.
Notably, the youth organization maintains that their demand for accountability is not an indictment against security forces but rather a call for transparency to support community safety.
The group has given Dr. Olasoji a deadline of 72 hours to respond to five specific questions: the identity and legal status of the armed individuals; the legitimacy of their deployment; Alukwu’s official capacity; and the rationale behind the joint operations. They warned that failure to respond would prompt them to escalate the matter to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, and other relevant authorities.
