The Governor of Enugu State in Southeast Nigeria, Dr Peter Mbah, expressed his satisfaction with the achievements made in addressing security challenges and insurgencies within the state. He also reassured that Enugu remains safe and accessible for business activities.
Governor Mbah made these comments during the visit of the new state Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, who arrived at the Government House in Enugu on Tuesday. The purpose of the visit was to foster acquaintance and collaboration.
The Governor also mentioned that Enugu had successfully halted the illegal sit-at-home order in the state. He promised that when fully launched in a few weeks, the state’s security initiative, the Distress Response Squad (DRS) and its accompanying Command and Control Centre, will provide even greater security for the state.
I was pleased to receive the new Commissioner of Police, CP, Enugu State Command, Kanayo Uzuegbu and his team today at the Enugu State Government House.
The CP who was on both familiarization and working visit shared with me his strategic plans towards ensuring the security of… pic.twitter.com/NRkgDHY8OQ
— Peter Ndubuisi Mbah (@PNMbah) August 22, 2023
The Governor stated:
“The Distress Response Squad (DRS), which pilot scheme will be commissioned today, is going to house over a hundred very highly sophisticated and technologically equipped vehicles when fully launched.
“We are going to have security surveillance cameras installed in all the vehicles of the DRS. Those security surveillance cameras will have the capability of facial recognition and number plate recognition.
“We are already constructing the Command and Control Centre, which will be ready for commissioning in a few weeks. The idea is that we can monitor from that location what is going on across our cities and all the communities in the state.
“We are doing this in partnership with the police and this is a demonstration of the state’s commitment to supporting the police in fighting crime. And I want to assure you that we are going to continue in that trend to ensure that together we rid criminality out of our state.
Mbah, while supporting the new CP’s determination to eliminate every criminal element from the state, expressed that the state is heavily investing in technology to prevent and solve crimes. He urged those still involved in criminal activities to embrace the new order or be ready to face the consequences.
“I fully support your decision to inform criminals that there is no room for them, there is no bush for them, and there is no forest for them to hide in Enugu State. We must continue to make our state secure in order to attract investors. We are urging our young people to understand that engaging in criminal activities leads to disaster. They must come forward, repent, drop their weapons, and allow us to build a state where they can find gainful employment,” he asserted.
The Governor assured the CP of the government’s complete support, stating that his administration would provide all the necessary resources to achieve a peaceful and fully secure Enugu State.
In response, CP Uzuegbu assured the people that he had taken note of the areas and roads in the state that are challenged by insecurity, and he promised to work towards consolidating the achievements made so far.
“My vision and mission here is to ensure that people in this state can sleep soundly at night. I understand that this state is a hub of tourism; I want to assure you that visitors who come here for tourism will be safe. I want a state where people can come and do business every day of the week, invest, and create job opportunities for our growing population. I want a state where there is a sense of belonging and unity in diversity. This is my motto, my vision, and my mission.
“I am determined to tackle all forms of criminality. I call on criminals to repent or be prepared to face the consequences. Enugu State will be very inhospitable for them under my watch. I will deal harshly with those who show cruelty towards the state,” he emphasized.
The highlights of the visit included the commissioning of several DRS vehicles and the decoration of newly promoted police officers.
