Gov. Peter Mbah’s Investment In Security Sets A New National Benchmark

Governor Peter Mbah’s deliberate and strategic investment in security infrastructure and intelligence-led operations is producing measurable, sustainable and unprecedented outcomes for Enugu State. By clearly recognising security as the bedrock of effective governance, economic growth and social stability, the administration has shifted decisively from reactive policing to a proactive, preventive and technology-driven security architecture.

Central to this transformation is the deployment of integrated surveillance systems, including smart high-definition cameras across key public spaces, supported by real-time intelligence and command platforms. These systems allow for rapid data processing, situational awareness and informed decision-making, enabling security agencies to act before threats escalate.

The introduction of drones equipped with thermal imaging technology has further strengthened night-time surveillance, border monitoring and the disruption of criminal hideouts, particularly in difficult-to-access terrain. These advanced tools are complemented by a coordinated rapid-response framework that enhances deterrence and ensures swift intervention.

Specialised distress-response patrol units have been strategically positioned across the state, supported by improved patrol mobility and centralised command-and-control systems comparable to global best practices. The result has been a marked reduction in response times and a significant improvement in operational precision.

The impact of these reforms is evident. Enugu State is witnessing a resurgence of economic activity and the return of many indigenes, reflecting renewed public confidence in safety and stability. From an institutional perspective, the reforms have strengthened early threat detection, improved intelligence-to-action conversion and enhanced inter-agency collaboration among the Nigeria Police Force, the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local security formations.

The outcome is a more coherent, intelligence-driven and results-oriented security ecosystem capable of anticipating and neutralising threats before they escalate.

From a public policy and economic governance standpoint, the security reforms have generated substantial positive spillovers. Improved safety indicators have translated into renewed investor confidence, longer business operating hours, stronger protection of critical infrastructure, higher internally generated revenue and the stabilisation of commercial activities along major transport and economic corridors.

Communities previously affected by insecurity are experiencing a return to normalcy, while urban centres are benefiting from safer public spaces and an improved quality of life.

Crucially, the Enugu experience demonstrates that sustained capital investment in modern security systems when combined with data analytics, professional training and institutional coordination yields high returns in crime prevention, economic resilience and social order. Rather than relying solely on manpower expansion, the administration’s emphasis on technology and intelligence has improved efficiency, reduced long-term costs and strengthened accountability within the security sector.

The reopening of Enugu’s bus terminals further underscores the administration’s commitment to securing the state’s mass transit system. With full operationalisation, recurring incidents of so-called “one-chance” robberies are expected to be eliminated, reinforcing public trust in safe transportation and mobility.

In policy terms, the Enugu security model offers a scalable and replicable framework for other states. It represents an evidence-based approach to internal security management, underscoring the importance of aligning security investment with development planning, performance measurement and governance transparency.

At a time when insecurity remains a major constraint to sub-national development in Nigeria, Enugu State stands out as a compelling example of how strategic security reform functions not as a cost centre, but as a critical enabler of sustainable development and good governance.