Gov. Mbah Opts for Prevention Over Crisis Management With Enugu Forest Guard — Olasoji

Gov. Mbah Opts for Prevention Over Crisis Management With Enugu Forest Guard — Olasoji

The Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard (ESFG), retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, has commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for adopting what he described as a proactive and strategic approach to security through the establishment and strengthening of the Enugu State Forest Guard.

Dr. Olasoji spoke at the 2025 NAOSNP National Security Conference and Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, and organised by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).

According to him, Governor Mbah’s decision reflects a deep understanding that forest security is closely linked to economic stability, environmental protection and rural peace.

“A nation that cannot secure its economic resources cannot guarantee prosperity or stability,” Olasoji said, noting that the governor recognised early that forests must be governed rather than neglected.

He explained that the Mbah administration repositioned the Forest Guard from what he described as “a dormant structure” into a professional, intelligence-driven and community-based eco-security institution with clear legal backing and operational accountability.

Dr. Olasoji further stated that the governor’s support for a robust legal framework, including the Enugu State Forest Guard Law as well as complementary land-use and ranching laws, provided a solid foundation for lawful enforcement and conflict prevention.

“Forests are not just green belts; they are living infrastructure that sustains agriculture, water systems and rural livelihoods,” he said. “When forests are abandoned, criminal economies move in. His Excellency chose governance over neglect.”

The ESFG commander added that the initiative is already yielding tangible security benefits, such as improved community cooperation, enhanced intelligence gathering and reduced pressure on conventional security agencies.

“Leadership is about seeing tomorrow’s risks today. By creating the Forest Guard, Governor Mbah chose prevention over reaction and stability over crisis management,” Olasoji said.

He concluded that Enugu State’s experience provides a viable model for other states, stressing that environmental protection is inseparable from economic security. “To defend the environment is to defend the economy; to guard the forest is to guard the future,” he said.

The event attracted top security, government and private sector stakeholders, including the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), represented by Air Vice Marshal Bashir R. Mamman; Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, representing the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, represented by Lagos Sector Commander, CC Kehinde Hamzat.

Others present were the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, represented by Lagos State Commandant, Mr. Keshinro Sunday; the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, represented by DCE Ayo Oyewole; the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by Mr. Chukwurah Alexander; and the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun), Amb. Akogun Adetunji Adeleye.

Also in attendance were business, religious and policy leaders, including the Managing Director of Smithcrown Construction Ltd, Engr. Chris Agbede; the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya, represented by Prof. Sesan Oliyide; CEO of Trans Energy E-Global, Mr. Umar Ahmed Tijani; Prophet Ikuru Godwin; and other notable stakeholders across public and private sectors.