Wake-Up Call After Lilu Massacre: Expert Demands Forest Guard Actions In Anambra Forest

National forest guards

By RAYMOND OZOJI

Following the recent attack on an Anglican church in Lilu community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, an Anambra-born security expert, Ambassador Dr. John Metchie, has appealed to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to consider the deployment of forest guards as part of the state’s local security architecture.

It would be recalled that earlier this month, hoodlums attacked an Anglican church in Lilu community, killing some worshippers while several others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

During the attack, the assailants also set ablaze properties within the church premises, including vehicles parked inside the compound.

Dr. Metchie made the appeal during an exclusive interview with journalists at his country home in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area.

According to him, it has become imperative for the government to establish forest guards as a complementary security measure, particularly in forested areas such as the Anambra South Senatorial District, which he described as being under the grip of non-state actors.

He explained that forest guards, who are directly domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, are specially trained security personnel tasked with combing forest regions across the country to flush out criminal elements hiding in the bushes.

Metchie expressed strong confidence that the deployment of forest guards would significantly help to curb the activities of unknown gunmen in areas such as Ihiala, Orumba North and South, and other parts of the state.

He stressed that their presence in troubled communities would complement the efforts of the police and the military.

While commending the Anambra State local security outfit, Agụnechemba, for its efforts—observing that relative calm has returned to some previously troubled communities following its operations.

Metchie insisted that continuous training and retraining of local security personnel would greatly enhance the quality of their service, particularly in the handling and use of firearms.

Metchie, who single-handedly built a joint military base in Umueri community to enhance security in the Omambala region, further said that forest guards could be integrated into the Udo Ga Chi security framework.

He noted that their primary responsibility would be to secure forest areas where criminals often retreat after carrying out attacks, adding that forest guards could significantly strengthen internal security at the grassroots level.

He also stated that the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law further underscores Governor Soludo’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, especially through sustained offensives against criminal elements.

According to Metchie, the inclusion of forest guards would further improve local security, as they are specifically trained to secure forest regions and reclaim them from outlaws and unknown gunmen terrorising innocent citizens.

The security expert therefore called on Ndi Anambra to support Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s security initiatives, stressing that the protection of lives and property is a collective responsibility.

He urged residents to cooperate with security agencies to ensure the success of the ongoing fight against insecurity in Anambra State.