Enugu Forest Guard plans fresh training, 30-day accountability framework to strengthen operations

Enugu State Forest Guard Command has stepped up efforts to protect forests and rural communities against criminal activities, announcing fresh training for personnel in November and a 30-day performance improvement framework to strengthen operational effectiveness, intelligence gathering and accountability.


The initiative follows the successful completion of a week-long training programme on October 23, 2026, aimed at improving personnel’s operational competence, professionalism, respect for human rights and collaboration with other security agencies.


The Commander of the National Forest Guard, Enugu Command, Dr. Akinbayo Olasoji, disclosed this in an address he presented at the end of the training held on Saturday in Enugu , stressing that the Command was determined to make forests across the state safer for farmers, travellers, rural residents and other legitimate users.

He commended Governor Peter Mbah for his continued support and commitment to strengthening the Forest Guard’s operational capacity, noting that the administration’s backing had encouraged the Command to intensify efforts to protect forests, farmers, travellers and rural communities from security threats.


He said the training equipped personnel with improved skills in firearms handling and other operational techniques, alongside specialised instruction in intelligence analysis, joint security operations, crime-scene preservation, emergency response, leadership and professional report writing.


The Commander noted that securing forests required more than physical patrols, emphasising the need for reliable intelligence, effective coordination among security agencies and strict adherence to established legal and professional standards.

He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to keep forests and surrounding communities across Enugu State secure and accessible for legitimate economic and social activities.
Clarify the commander’s official title
Tighten repeated security references
Strengthen the November training angle


A major component of the programme was a lecture on joint military guard operations delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Solomon Kure Shekarau of the Nigerian Army, 82 Division Garrison, Enugu. The session focused on command coordination, clearly defined operational responsibilities and cooperation among security agencies during forest deployments.


Senior police officers, including ACP Suraju Kehinde Oyewole and ACP Oliver Odimega, also trained participants on intelligence gathering, incident documentation, crime-scene preservation, first-response procedures and the proper referral of suspected criminal cases to the police.


In a related session on protecting critical national assets, Nwatu Emmanuel Amechi of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps highlighted vigilance, incident-scene safety and emergency coordination as essential elements of effective security operations.


The Command’s Legal Officer, Amaka Mandy, reinforced the need for personnel to operate within the provisions of the Enugu State Forest Guard Law, 2020, while upholding the fundamental rights of citizens.
The training also emphasised emotional discipline, accountability and respectful engagement with members of the public, underscoring the importance of public confidence in security operations.


Olasoji said the Command would ensure that the knowledge acquired during the programme translated into measurable improvements in field operations, personnel conduct and the protection of forest environments.


He stressed that sustainable forest security depended on sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents.
The proposed 30-day improvement framework is expected to strengthen personnel performance, improve reporting standards and reinforce accountability, while the additional training scheduled for November will further develop the operational capacity of the force.


One thought on “Enugu Forest Guard plans fresh training, 30-day accountability framework to strengthen operations”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *