Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has strongly pushed for financial independence and robust technological investment for future state police forces. Speaking at an Arise News town hall in Abuja, Mbah argued that any legislative foundation for state police must balance national standards with local decision-making and capabilities.
The governor highlighted that effective security requires substantial funding, suggesting that a State Police Service Commission should have direct access to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. He noted that other institutions like the judiciary already operate under such financial arrangements, which are crucial for sustainability.
Drawing from his own experience since taking office in 2023, Mbah described how Enugu faced severe security threats that paralyzed daily life and education. To combat this, his administration invested heavily in a Safe City Surveillance System using AI-enabled CCTV and established the Distress Response Squad. These initiatives helped reduce violent crime in the state by over 90 percent.
Mbah also emphasized the importance of unified communication channels between agencies, citing his state’s Command and Control Centre as a model for inter-agency coordination. Regarding the legal framework, he advised that the Constitution should establish the state police, while specific operational details should be left to National Assembly acts to allow for future reforms.
Finally, the governor addressed concerns regarding the potential abuse of state police by officials. He argued that governors require sufficient operational authority to meet security targets, reminding critics that political tenures are temporary and that effective leadership requires actual control over the tools needed to ensure public safety.
