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Frontline pressure group and human rights advocate, the Save Enugu Group (SEG), has sent a Save-Our-Souls (SOS) alert to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces and Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as the Chief Security Officer of Enugu State over the activities of a man terrorising residents of the state, using men in military uniforms.

The SEG in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Comrade James Ezema on behalf of the group noted that “beyond brazen intimidation of residents, the man identified as Mr. Oke Hyacinth Ayogu and also known as Okechukwu Ayogu, has been using men in military uniforms to dispossess hapless citizens of their properties.”

The Save Enugu Group maintained that “the man in question, who fronts as a businessman in Enugu State as Managing Director of Hymac Real Limited, a real estate development company laid claim to the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) land and property, including other adjoining plots within the neighbourhood.

“We have it on good authority that Mr. Ayogu prides himself as an associate of the Chief of Army Staff, General Abiodun Lagbaja, thereby portraying the military authorities in a bad light among the residents of the state.

“So far, there are allegations that Mr. Ayogu has turned into a flourishing land grabber in the state, dispossessing some communities of their ancestral properties through shoddy means.

“Our preliminary findings indicate that Mr. Oke Hyacinth Ayogu is a Nigerian army deserter and have reportedly claimed the military rank of captain. His last known place of service is the 65 Brigade Sokoto.

“He has been accused of equally claiming to be a military spy on a mission to identify members of the Independent People Of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.

“He has been fingered in several land grabbing cases involving properties belonging to high profile individuals, and organisations, and widows no matter the validity of the land documents.

“In this Save-Our-Souls (SOS) alert to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces, we plead with Mr. President to order investigation into the circumstances that led to the deployment of soldiers as excorts to a suspected army deserter.

“We equally call on Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who is the Chief Security Officer of Enugu State to take note and curb the excesses of Mr. Ayogu to avert an imminent breakdown of law and order in some communities as a result of his activities”, the statement concluded.

The recent visit by the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawale, to the United States of America has been commended by several Northern groups under the North Central Stakeholders Forum for its immense significance in addressing the fight against terrorism and other security challenges in Nigeria.

The Stakeholders Forum, in a statement signed by its Convener, Mohammed A. Mohammed noted that the visit, which involved engaging in discussions with members of the US Congress, was meant to strengthen bilateral cooperation, share intelligence, and seek support in combating terrorism.

“The importance of this visit cannot be overstated, as it holds the potential to bring about positive changes in Nigeria’s security landscape” they said.

The Forum said first and foremost, the visit by Minister Matawale signifies the commitment of the Nigerian government to tackle the issue of terrorism head-on.

“By reaching out to the United States, a global superpower with extensive experience in counterterrorism efforts, Matawale is demonstrating the willingness of Nigeria to learn from the best and adopt effective strategies in combating terrorism. This proactive approach is crucial in addressing the security challenges that have plagued the country for far too long.”

They said engaging in discussions with members of the US Congress is another significant step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

“The exchange of ideas, sharing of intelligence, and collaboration on counterterrorism efforts can greatly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism. The United States has a wealth of knowledge and resources that can be tapped into, and this visit provides an opportunity for Nigeria to leverage these assets for the benefit of its citizens,” the Forum pointed out.

They said seeking support from the United States in the fight against terrorism is a wise move by the Defense Minister Matawale.

“Terrorism is a global issue that requires a collective response, and the support of the international community is crucial in effectively addressing this menace.

“By reaching out to the United States, the Minister is signaling Nigeria’s commitment to working with other nations to eradicate terrorism and create a safer world for all.”

The visit by Minister Matawale, the groups explained, also highlights the importance of intelligence sharing in the fight against terrorism which is a complex and ever-evolving threat.

“Timely and accurate intelligence is essential in staying one step ahead of the terrorists. By engaging with the United States, Nigeria can tap into their vast intelligence network and benefit from their expertise in gathering and analyzing intelligence.

“This collaboration can significantly enhance Nigeria’s ability to detect and prevent terrorist activities, ultimately leading to a more secure and stable nation,” they said.