Abayomi Susan
The Enugu State Forest Guard and the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers have resolved to strengthen collaboration in intelligence gathering, crime prevention and community-based security as part of sustained efforts to enhance peace, safeguard lives and property, and deny criminal elements safe havens across Enugu State.
The resolution was reached during a high-level interactive session held at the Traditional Council Chambers in Enugu between the Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, PhD, MNIM, MNIPS, CPI, CINTA, CTA, FGCP, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rtd.), and the Chairman and members of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by Dr. Olasoji on behalf of the Forest Guard and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
A key outcome of the meeting was the unanimous recognition that the state’s 366 officially recognised traditional rulers constitute Enugu’s largest grassroots security network. The Council acknowledged the critical role of traditional institutions in intelligence gathering, early warning, conflict prevention, community mobilisation, and the protection of forests and rural communities.
The Royal Fathers reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Enugu State Forest Guard in line with the provisions of the Enugu State Forest Guard Law. They pledged to strengthen community intelligence, monitor suspicious activities, promote vigilance within their communities, encourage the prompt reporting of criminal activities, and support lawful security operations across the state.
Presenting his one-year stewardship review titled, “One Year of Transformation, Leadership and Operational Impact: Building an Institution, Securing Our Future,” Dr. Olasoji expressed profound appreciation to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening Enugu State’s security architecture through the establishment and sustained support of the Forest Guard.
Reviewing the agency’s achievements within its first year, the Commander highlighted the establishment of a robust operational structure comprising three Senatorial Commands, 17 Local Government Area Commands, 42 Operational Sector Commands and more than 260 Ward Security Units across the state.
He also outlined significant institutional milestones, including the development of Standard Operating Procedures, enhanced command and control systems, improved operational accountability, expanded intelligence-led patrols and deployments, intensified forest surveillance and bush-combing operations, strengthened operational reporting systems, and sustained capacity-building programmes covering intelligence gathering, cybersecurity, leadership, ethics, operational reporting, human rights and community engagement.
Dr. Olasoji reiterated that the operational philosophy of the Enugu State Forest Guard remains firmly rooted in intelligence-led, preventive and community-based security, stressing that timely intelligence, early warning and proactive intervention remain the most effective strategies for preventing crime.
The interactive session also provided an opportunity for the traditional rulers to present security concerns affecting their respective communities.
The Council expressed particular concern over recurring kidnapping incidents in boundary communities within Isi-Uzo Local Government Area and called for sustained intelligence-led operations, increased surveillance and stronger collaboration among the Forest Guard, other security agencies and host communities to dismantle criminal hideouts operating within forest corridors and border areas.
Similarly, the Royal Fathers drew attention to emerging security challenges in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area and urged the Forest Guard to further strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational presence to address criminal activities and restore public confidence in the affected communities.
The meeting also extensively deliberated on the ongoing recruitment exercise into the Enugu State Forest Guard.
Clarifying the position of the Command, Dr. Olasoji informed the Council that the recruitment exercise had been temporarily suspended pending the completion of the Recruitment Committees’ final deliberations. According to him, the suspension is intended to ensure that the process remains transparent, credible, merit-based and fully compliant with established procedures.
He assured the traditional rulers that no further action would be taken until the committees conclude their assignment, after which the approved modalities for the continuation of the recruitment exercise would be officially communicated to the public in the interest of transparency, fairness and due process.
The Commander further explained that administrative decisions arising from the recruitment process, including the suspension of certain personnel, are being handled strictly in accordance with institutional regulations, established procedures and the principles of accountability, fairness and justice.
The Chairman and members of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers commended the remarkable transformation recorded by the Forest Guard within its first year of operation and expressed confidence in the leadership, professionalism and operational direction of the Command.
The Council unanimously resolved to deepen collaboration between traditional institutions and the Forest Guard by strengthening community intelligence, enhancing early warning mechanisms, supporting lawful security operations and encouraging residents to provide timely information capable of preventing crime.
The Royal Fathers also pledged to work closely with Forest Guard Commanders, Sector Officers, Presidents-General, community leaders, hunters, neighbourhood security groups and other lawful stakeholders to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community resilience and promote lasting peace and security across Enugu State.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Olasoji reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Enugu State Forest Guard to professionalism, discipline, accountability, respect for human rights and intelligence-led operations. He urged all stakeholders to remain united in supporting Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of a safe, secure and prosperous Enugu State, emphasising that security is a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of government, traditional institutions, security agencies and every law-abiding citizen.
The meeting ended with a unanimous commitment by both the Enugu State Forest Guard and the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers to deepen intelligence-led community policing, strengthen forest protection and reinforce collaboration across all communities in the state. Both parties reaffirmed their resolve to ensure that every forest, rural community and border corridor in Enugu remains safe, peaceful and conducive to agriculture, investment and sustainable development.
The Royal Fathers also offered prayers for God’s continued protection and wisdom for Dr. Olasoji as he leads the Enugu State Forest Guard in advancing security and peace for the people of Enugu State.
