The Member representing Ezeagu constituency at the Enugu state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Chima Obieze has applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state for taking the lead in coming forth with proactive measures to protect the lives and properties of people the governed.
Hon. Obieze made the statement while speaking on the newly inaugurated ‘Amotekun’ security network in the south west stressing that; “the action of the Governor had an immediate impact on the security situation of the state.
Hon. Obieze who is also the Chairman, House committee on works said Gov. Ugwuanyi was the first governor in the whole Southern Nigeria to establish a “Territorial” security outfit by creating the Enugu Forest Guards.
He said “In The South East, the first TERRITORIAL security outfit created by a State Government is the Enugu State Forest Guards. Fully trained by the Enugu State Command of the DSS and equipped by government to protect lives and properties of the People of Enugu State, protect our farmers and farmlands in Rural Areas, fight against kidnapping and to protect our borders from violent, criminal and invasive elements.
“So far, these Forests Guards have been responsible for the successful rescue of many kidnap victims including the PDP chair person of Igbo-Etiti LGA.
“They have also prevented/aborted many kidnap attempts and its obvious their creation & operations are yielding positive results.”
The achievements of this security network will be better appreciated if we look at the ugly security trend in the state before the coming of the ‘Forest Guards” as chronicled by Mazi Omeife I. Omeife;
• A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Arinze Madu, Vice Rector of the Queen of Apostle Spiritual Year Seminary, Imezi-Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area: Kidnapped.
• A Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Clement Ugwu, Kidnapped and killed.
• A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Offu: Kidnapped and killed.
• A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Theophilus Ndulue: Kidnapped.
• A Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Malachy Asadu: Kidnapped.
• The traditional ruler of Obom-Agbogugu, Awgu Local Government Area,His Royal Highness, Igwe Sunday Orji and his wife: Kidnapped.
• Ernest Otugo, President of the Ibite Olo Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area, his wife and his friend: Kidnapped.
• PDP National Youth leader, Ude Okoye, from Agbogogu, Awgu Local Government Area: Kidnapped.
Hon. Obieze opined that: “What Enugu has done should lead the way for other States of the Southeast.
“Enugu stands out as the first State to take this step and I suggest and urge other States in the Southeast should make the Forest Guards a regional Police. That way, the operatives of each State will know and co-operate with each other to Protect Our Zone.”
