The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has urged the Enugu State Government to foster a strong partnership between forest guards and town unions to improve intelligence gathering and effectively combat insecurity in the state.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that this appeal was contained in a communiqué released over the weekend in Enugu by CLO. The statement was signed by Comrade Ibuchukwu O. Ezike, Executive Director; Jerry O. Enoja Esq, State Chairman; and Comrade Dan Igwe, State Secretary.
The group applauded Governor Peter Mbah for appointing retired military and police officers to head the state’s forest security outfit. In particular, CLO commended the appointments of Colonel Dan Didigwu (rtd) as Chairman and Deputy Commissioner of Police Olamitisoji Akinbamilayo (rtd) as Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guards.
CLO emphasized that genuine collaboration between forest guards and local town unions would help improve intelligence flow and prevent criminal activities in both rural and urban communities.
While praising Governor Mbah’s infrastructural development initiatives, the group raised concerns over the current tax policies affecting residents. CLO advised the state to reconsider the tax regime in view of the prevailing economic hardship in Nigeria.
They recommended that the government distinguish between urban and rural areas when enforcing tax laws, so as not to overburden small-scale traders and low-income earners in rural communities.
In a separate statement, the organisation condemned recent acts of violence across the country, including the massacre of civilians in Yelewata, Benue State, and the killing of Mrs. Blessing Eze, a mother of four from Enugu State, in Ogun State.
According to CLO, Eze was reportedly murdered by festival tax enforcers in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State for refusing to pay illegal levies. CLO described the act as a gross violation of human rights and an insult to collective human dignity.
The group called on security agencies to investigate these crimes thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice without delay. It further stressed that any arrests must follow due process and avoid implicating innocent individuals.
CLO also pledged continued collaboration with other human rights bodies to promote justice, support vulnerable citizens, and raise awareness across grassroots communities.
Kindly share 🙏