Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has advocated financial autonomy and sustained investment in modern security technology for proposed state police services, arguing that effective policing at the subnational level depends on adequate funding, operational authority and coordinated security infrastructure.
Speaking at a town hall meeting themed “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security,” organised by Arise News in Abuja, Governor Mbah said any legal framework establishing state police must strike a balance between national standards, federal support, local capacity and state-level decision-making.
He stressed that the success of state police funding would depend on ensuring financial independence through a State Police Service Commission with a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
According to him, adequate funding is essential if state police formations are expected to deliver timely and effective security services.
Drawing from Enugu State’s security reforms since assuming office in 2023, Mbah recalled that the state faced severe security challenges, including the collapse of nightlife, widespread disruption caused by illegal sit-at-home orders and academic setbacks that prevented many final-year students from writing examinations.
He said tackling insecurity became a priority because the administration’s broader goals of poverty reduction, economic expansion and attracting investment could not be achieved without restoring public safety.
To reverse the trend, the state invested heavily in technology, including an AI-powered Safe City Surveillance System equipped with static and mobile CCTV cameras.
The governor noted that the deployment of advanced surveillance infrastructure required substantial financial resources but had become a critical component of the state’s security strategy.
Beyond technology, Mbah said the state strengthened its human security capacity by establishing the Distress Response Squad (DRS) to ensure rapid intervention during emergencies.
He explained that effective security operations require swift decision-making because crimes are often measured in minutes rather than hours.
According to the governor, the combination of surveillance technology, rapid response capability and coordinated security operations has helped reduce violent crime in Enugu State by more than 90 per cent.
He added that the state’s Command and Control Centre integrates the operations of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services through a unified communication network.
On the legal framework for state policing, Mbah advocated constitutional recognition of state police while recommending that operational details be left to legislation enacted by the National Assembly.
He argued that this approach would make future reforms easier without requiring repeated constitutional amendments.
According to him, constitutional provisions should establish the existence of state police while allowing flexibility to improve the system as experience dictates.
Responding to concerns that governors could misuse state police, Mbah maintained that excessive restrictions would undermine accountability and effectiveness.
He observed that governors occupy office for limited constitutional terms and would eventually return to private life like every other citizen.
Rather than weakening executive powers, he argued that governors should be given sufficient operational authority to meet their constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property.
According to Mbah, assigning security responsibilities without providing the necessary control mechanisms would make it difficult for state leaders to achieve expected results.
The governor concluded that discussions on state police funding should focus on building institutions capable of delivering effective security while maintaining national standards and accountability.
He maintained that adequate funding, technological investment, integrated security coordination and appropriate legal safeguards would be essential to the success of any future state police system in Nigeria.
