ABUJA – Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has called for financial autonomy, adequate funding, and significant investment in modern security technology for proposed state police services, saying these measures are essential for effective policing and improved national security.
Speaking on Thursday at a town hall meeting themed “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security,” organised by Arise News in Abuja, Mbah said any legal framework establishing state police must strike a balance between national standards, federal support, local operational capacity, and state-level decision-making.
The governor argued that state police would only succeed if they are backed by sustainable funding and equipped with modern security infrastructure capable of responding to evolving security challenges.
According to him, state police commissions should enjoy financial independence through a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, similar to the constitutional funding arrangements already enjoyed by state judiciaries and legislatures.
“The importance of properly funding state police cannot be overstated. Security agencies require stable financing to operate effectively, and granting state police commissions direct access to funding will ensure continuity and efficiency in their operations,” Mbah said.
Highlighting his administration’s experience in Enugu State, the governor recalled that when he assumed office in 2023, insecurity had crippled economic and social activities across the state.
He said illegal sit-at-home orders had shut down businesses, destroyed nightlife, prevented students from writing critical examinations, and left many communities under constant fear.
Mbah explained that his administration quickly recognised that achieving its economic development agenda would be impossible without first restoring security.
He said the state therefore invested heavily in technology by establishing a Safe City Surveillance System equipped with artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras, alongside both fixed and mobile surveillance units to improve crime detection and response.
The governor noted that the technology-driven security architecture required substantial financial resources but had produced significant results in reducing criminal activities.
Beyond technology, he said the government also established the Distress Response Squad (DRS) to ensure rapid intervention during security emergencies.
According to him, security operations require immediate responses because incidents are often measured in minutes, making it necessary for governors to have the authority and operational tools needed to act without unnecessary delays.
Mbah stated that the combination of advanced surveillance technology, coordinated security operations, and rapid response mechanisms had helped reduce violent crime in Enugu State by more than 90 percent.
He further disclosed that the state had established a unified Command and Control Centre where the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Department of State Services (DSS) work together through an integrated communication network to improve intelligence sharing and operational coordination.
On the legal framework for state police, the governor recommended that the Constitution should simply provide for the establishment of state police while allowing operational details to be contained in an Act of the National Assembly.
He explained that such an arrangement would make future reforms easier without requiring repeated constitutional amendments whenever adjustments become necessary.
Addressing concerns that governors could misuse state police for political purposes, Mbah dismissed the fears, insisting that elected governors hold office for a maximum of eight years and eventually return to private life like every other citizen.
He argued that instead of weakening governors’ authority over state police, emphasis should be placed on creating strong accountability mechanisms while granting state governments sufficient operational control to effectively tackle insecurity.
According to him, governors cannot be expected to deliver improved security outcomes if they are denied the authority required to direct security operations within their states.
Mbah maintained that creating a properly funded, technologically equipped, and professionally managed state police system would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s overall security architecture while improving public safety and supporting economic development across the country.
Mbah Advocates Financial Autonomy, Technology-Driven State Police to Strengthen National Security
