It is indeed, a resonant achievement for the Enugu State Forest Guards. A security outfit constituted by the Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led Administration to safeguard our farmlands and rid our forests of undesirable/criminal elements.
On Dec. 2, about 11pm, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairperson of Igbo-Etiti LGA, Nkechi Ugwuoju, was abducted along with her son and driver at Agu-Ekwegbe, along Opi-Nike Road in Igbo Etiti LGA of Enugu State.
They were kidnapped by a five-man armed gang, comprising four suspected herdsmen and an ibo native, who were armed with AK 47 rifles and other dangerous weapons.
On Dec. 22, about 12noon, members of the Forest Guards acting on a tip off, trailed the bandits to the forest and bravery engaged them in a gun battle. The bandits escaped with bullet wounds while abandoning their victims, a bag containing their personal effects and a cutlass.
According to the State Coordinator of the Forest Guards, Chief Obodoechi, the kidnap victims were subsequently rescued unhurt and handed over to the Police (Anti-Kidnap Unit) together with the items recovered for further investigation.
The State Coordinator appreciated the State Governor, who has again graciously approved the recruitment of additional 300 guards by the DSS to strengthen the identified flash points in the State, while those guards recruited in the Urban areas are to be redeployed accordingly. He further reiterated that the Forest Guards was solely created to assist the Police and sister agencies in their internal security efforts.
Meanwhile, the rescued victims who were unhurt have reunited with their families.
One of the victims, Hon. Nkechi Ugwuoju, thanked the state government for saving their lives by creating such visionary security outfit to compliment the untiring efforts of the conventional security forces operating in the States.