By Okey Maduforo, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has constituted a seven-member Commission of Inquiry to investigate the recent communal clash between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

The development comes as the state government is yet to lift the curfew imposed on the two communities to maintain law and order following the crisis.

Announcing the constitution of the Commission, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, said the move followed the Governor’s directive for a thorough investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the conflict, with a view to finding a lasting solution.

The Commission, chaired by Hon. Justice Nkemdilim Izuakor, comprises seven members, including two clerics drawn from the Catholic and Anglican Churches, two traditional rulers and the Governor’s Special Assistant on Boundary Matters.

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According to Nnake, the Commission’s terms of reference include investigating the circumstances surrounding the dispute and the violent clashes that occurred between October 1 and 4, 2026.

It is also mandated to identify factors capable of triggering further hostilities between the two communities or involving neighbouring communities.

The Commission is further expected to recommend measures the state government should adopt to resolve the dispute and restore lasting peace across Aguleri, Anam and other affected communities.

In carrying out its assignment, the panel is required to consider all relevant court judgments and contractual agreements relating to the dispute.

It has until February 28, 2027, to conclude its investigation and submit its report to the Governor.

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Nnake explained that the constitution of the Commission was a consolidation of the peace process earlier initiated by Soludo, who had convened a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Awka.

The meeting brought together traditional rulers, presidents-general and community leaders from Aguleri, Umueri and Anam, where the parties agreed to a total cessation of hostilities.

At the meeting, the Governor also pledged to establish a Commission of Inquiry to examine historical grievances, petitions and other underlying issues responsible for the recurring crisis.

The SSG reiterated the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that peace, justice and the rule of law prevail in the affected communities.

She urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the Commission and refrain from actions capable of undermining the ongoing peace efforts.

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……calls for immediate removal of Dr. Olasoji as Enugu Forest Guard Commander.

Enugu Youths under the aegis of Ugwuaji Youths for Peace have accused the Enugu State Commander of the Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, of using AK-47-wielding unknown gunmen to harass residents and investors and allegedly aid land grabbers around some of their forests.

The youths also accused Olasoji of allegedly using forest guard personnel to intimidate residents and facilitate illegal land dealings in the area. They called on the police, military and other security agencies to intervene urgently, investigate the reported activities of the armed men and ensure the safety of residents and investors.

In a statement signed by the group’s chairman, Barr. Ogbodo Nwobodo, and sent to newsmen in Enugu on Friday, October 16, 2026, the youths categorically rejected Olasoji’s account of the reported incident at one of their forests on Friday, insisting that it did not reflect their people’s experiences.

They condemned what they described as the harassment and intimidation of residents by unidentified armed men allegedly operating under the guise of forest guard personnel.

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According to the group, “Our people are wondering when forest guards started wielding AK-47 rifles and using their positions to intimidate residents over land matters. These men have subjected our people to intimidation, while our women have been beaten by these armed individuals. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue in any civilised society.”

The group accused Olasoji of failing to address the concerns of residents over the activities of the armed men, questioning whether forest guard personnel were being used to facilitate land grabbing and illegal land transactions in the community.

“We find it disturbing that Dr. Olasoji, who should be promoting peace and ensuring that those under his command operate within the law, would issue a statement portraying the situation in a manner that fails to address the suffering of our people. We therefore call on him to exercise caution and desist from actions and statements capable of escalating tension in Ugwuaji.”

They further questioned the authority under which armed men carrying AK-47 rifles were operating without clearly identifiable uniforms, demanding that their identities, affiliations and chain of command be established.

The group called on the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command; the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Nigerian Army; the Garrison Commander; the Department of State Services; and other relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of the armed men, the reported assaults on women and other residents, and allegations of land grabbing and illegal land dealings in the area.

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It also urged the authorities to examine the photographs and video recordings attached to the statement to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found to have engaged in unlawful activities was brought to justice.

“Available pictures and video recordings provided should be examined to establish the facts and ensure that those wielding AK-47 rifles are arrested and brought to justice,” the statement said.

The youths further called for the immediate removal of Olasoji as Forest Guard Commander in Enugu State, alleging that he had been involved in a series of actions inimical to peace and the vision of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. They urged the government and security agencies to protect residents and investors, investigate alleged land grabbing and illegal land transactions, restore confidence in the security of the area and prevent further tension.

The group also appealed to youths and residents to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands, insisting that justice, accountability and the protection of lives and property must remain paramount.

The statement reads,
PRESS STATEMENT

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Date: 16 October 2026

CALLS FOR URGENT SECURITY INTERVENTION AS AK-47-WIELDING UNKNOWN GUNMEN DISGUISE AS FOREST GUARDS, HARASS RESIDENTS AND INVESTORS AND ALLEGEDLY AID LAND GRABBERS

We Ugwuaji Youths, under the aegis of Ugwuaji Youths for Peace, wish to categorically reject the account presented by Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rtd) and Commander of the National Forest Guard, Enugu State Command, concerning the incident at the Enugu Smart City Estate forest on Friday, October 16, 2026. His account does not reflect what our people have experienced, and we consider it necessary to set the record straight and call on the appropriate authorities to intervene before the situation deteriorates.

We condemn the harassment and intimidation of our people by unidentified armed men operating in Ugwuaji under the guise of forest guard personnel. These men have been moving around our area without identifiable uniforms, carrying AK-47 rifles and creating fear among residents. Our people are wondering when forest guards started wielding AK-47 rifles and allegedly using their positions to intimidate residents over land matters. These people have subjected our people to intimidation, while our women have been beaten by these armed individuals. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue in any civilised society.

We find it disturbing that Dr. Olasoji, who should be promoting peace and ensuring that those under his command operate within the law, would issue a statement portraying the situation in a manner that fails to address the suffering of our people. He did not explain the activities of the armed men operating in our forests or address the concerns of residents over alleged land grabbing and illegal land dealings in the area. We therefore call on him to exercise caution and desist from actions and statements capable of escalating tension in Ugwuaji.

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We are particularly concerned that unknown gunmen are being presented as forest guard personnel and allegedly being used to intimidate and harass our people in connection with land matters. We wonder how individuals carrying AK-47 rifles can be allowed to operate around our community without clearly identifiable uniforms and without residents being able to establish their identities, authority and chain of command. We demand that the authorities establish who these armed men are, who deployed them and under whose authority they are operating, including whether their activities are connected to alleged land grabbing and illegal land transactions.

We wish to make it clear that Ugwuaji is not a lawless community, and our people will not accept a situation in which armed individuals move around our area, harass residents and beat women without consequences. We are particularly concerned about allegations that forest guard personnel are being used to intimidate residents and investors over land and to facilitate the activities of land grabbers. We respect legitimate security agencies and recognise their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property. However, the presence of firearms does not place anyone above the law, and no security-related title should be used to justify intimidation, violence or illegal land dealings.

We therefore call on the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command; the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Nigerian Army; the Garrison Commander; the Department of State Services; and other relevant security agencies to intervene immediately. We demand a thorough investigation into the activities of these armed men, the identities of the individuals parading as forest guard personnel, the assault on our women and other residents, and allegations of land grabbing and illegal land transactions around some of our forests.

We further call on the police and military authorities to verify the identities and official affiliations of all armed persons operating around Ugwuaji lands and forests using the pictures attached to this release. The authorities should also investigate whether any personnel under Dr. Olasoji’s command have been involved in intimidating residents or investors to advance private land interests.

Available pictures and video recordings provided should be examined to establish the facts and ensure that those wielding AK-47 rifles are arrested and brought to justice.

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We also call for the immediate removal of Dr. Olasoji as Forest Guard Commander, Enugu State, as he has allegedly been involved in a series of actions that are inimical to peace and the vision of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. We urge the state government and relevant security agencies to investigate the allegations of land grabbing and illegal land dealings and ensure that forest guard personnel are not used to advance private interests at the expense of our people.

We urge our youths and residents to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands. Our demand is for justice, security and respect for the rights of our people. We will continue to speak against intimidation, violence and alleged land grabbing while insisting that the government and security agencies fulfil their responsibility to protect our community.

Signed:

Barr. Ogbodo Nwobodo

Chairman,

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Ugwuaji Youths for Peace.

Another tragic road accident has reportedly claimed lives at the notorious Ugwu Onyeama axis in Enugu State, involving a passenger bus and a trailer.

Eyewitnesses said the collision left the bus completely crushed, with an unspecified number of people feared dead.

The driver of the trailer was reportedly still trapped in the wreckage as of the time of filing this report.

Welders were said to have been deployed to the accident scene with specialised equipment in an attempt to cut through the wreckage and rescue the trapped driver.

The exact number of fatalities and injured persons could not be immediately ascertained.

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The latest incident has again raised concerns over the recurring fatal accidents along the Ugwu Onyeama stretch of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

Further details are expected as rescue operations continue.

See video

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By Okey Maduforo, Awka

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has charged journalists in Anambra State to intensify advocacy for local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry while holding operators accountable for compliance with statutory requirements.

The Board also urged media practitioners to give greater prominence to Nigerian Content issues to enable more indigenous businesses, professionals and communities to take advantage of opportunities in the oil and gas value chain.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications of NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, gave the charge on Thursday during the Nigerian Content Media Stakeholders Workshop for Editors and Journalists in Anambra State, held at Golden Tulip, Awka.

Ezeobi described the media as a critical stakeholder in the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, stressing that journalists must go beyond routine reportage to set agendas, educate the public and monitor compliance with local content obligations.

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He urged journalists to leverage their roles as agenda-setters and gatekeepers to draw attention to developments in the industry, highlight opportunities for Nigerian businesses and professionals, and demand accountability from oil and gas operators.

According to him, the workshop was designed to deepen journalists’ understanding of the Nigerian Content framework, improve the quality of industry reportage and strengthen collaboration between the Board and media organisations in Anambra State.

Ezeobi described Anambra as a strategic location for the engagement, noting that the state is recognised as an oil-producing state and ranks as the second-highest oil producer in the South-East, with an estimated production capacity of 3,000 barrels per day.

He also identified the presence of prominent indigenous oil and gas entrepreneurs, including Emeka Okwuosa of OilServ and Ernest Nnaemeka Azudialu-Obiejesi, founder of the Nestoil Group, as further evidence of the state’s significance in Nigeria’s energy industry.

The NCDMB spokesman maintained that journalists must acquire adequate knowledge of the local content law and the Board’s interventions to effectively inform residents about opportunities available to businesses, professionals and host communities.

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He recalled that since the enactment of the NOGICD Act and the establishment of NCDMB in 2010, the Board had consistently recognised the media as a strategic partner in advancing Nigerian Content development.

Ezeobi explained that the Act mandates the Board to deploy media platforms, communication channels and stakeholder engagement initiatives to promote the development of indigenous capacity in the oil and gas sector.

He further noted that the Board’s 10-year Nigerian Content Strategic Roadmap, developed in 2017, identified collaboration and stakeholder engagement as key enablers of its implementation.

He credited the media with helping to elevate Nigerian Content into a national development agenda, adding that Nigeria’s achievements in the sector had influenced other African countries to adopt similar policies.

According to him, effective communication and stakeholder engagement have equally contributed to NCDMB’s recognition as the best federal agency on four consecutive occasions in the rankings of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

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Speaking on the economic significance of Nigerian Content, Ezeobi explained that the policy seeks to develop indigenous human and material capacity, strengthen local businesses, enhance technical expertise and expand Nigeria’s industrial base.

He said the objective was to ensure that competent Nigerian companies increasingly supply goods and services required by the oil and gas industry while indigenous professionals acquire the technical skills necessary to compete effectively.

He added that strengthening local manufacturing and productive capacity would help retain greater economic value within Nigeria, create employment opportunities and stimulate the growth of domestic enterprises.

The General Manager disclosed that the Board had introduced several programmes and interventions to achieve these objectives, assuring participants that the workshop would provide further insights into its mandate, achievements and available opportunities.

He said the event would also feature a panel discussion on Nigerian Content and community development, as well as a session on award-winning journalism and building a purpose-driven career, particularly in technical sectors such as oil and gas.

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Ezeobi expressed optimism that the engagement would equip journalists in Anambra with the knowledge required to produce more comprehensive industry reports, promote local participation and strengthen accountability among operators.

He encouraged participants to engage actively in the discussions, ask critical questions, challenge assumptions and share their professional experiences to ensure that the workshop achieved its objectives.

The workshop forms part of NCDMB’s broader stakeholder engagement initiatives aimed at promoting awareness of its mandate, programmes and opportunities under the Nigerian Content framework.