By Samson Ezea
Enugu State has long distinguished itself in the area of security architecture, particularly since insecurity escalated nationwide. When former Governor Sullivan Chime, confronted with rising security threats, banned commercial motorcycles (Okada) as a means of transportation, his decision drew mixed reactions. Yet, over time, residents adjusted and ultimately benefitted from the policy, especially within the metropolis.
Similarly, when the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi pioneered the establishment of a Forest Guard system—the first of its kind in Nigeria—many dismissed the initiative. Today, the model has been reformed, equipped, and strengthened under Governor Peter Mbah and has since been adopted by the Federal Government. Ugwuanyi’s ban on tricycle (Keke) operations after 9 p.m. also attracted both praise and criticism but contributed meaningfully to reducing nighttime crime.
Now, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, regarded as a disruptive innovator in governance, has taken bold steps to advance security and public order. His administration successfully ended the illegal IPOB Monday sit-at-home order that had crippled life and commerce across the Southeast. Many doubted it was achievable, but through resilience, sincerity, and strategic engagement, the Mbah administration restored normalcy in the state.
In line with his economic blueprint, Governor Mbah overhauled the state’s security system by creating the Distress Response Squad and establishing a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre at Government House, equipped with AI-powered surveillance cameras deployed across Enugu. His administration procured and distributed numerous operational vehicles to security agencies and launched the Enugu State Security Trust Fund (ESSTF) in partnership with private sector players and citizens.
The benefits of the Trust Fund recently became evident with the inauguration of high-tech security equipment and patrol vehicles procured under the ESSTF. The new assets include two advanced drones,
10 Hilux 4x4 patrol vehicles, 40 motorcycles,
400 bulletproof vests, and 400 bulletproof helmets.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Mbah thanked the ESSTF Trustees for their commitment and noted that these assets complement existing investments, including the AI-enabled surveillance infrastructure and more than 150 Distress Response Squad patrol vehicles equipped with smart cameras.
He emphasized that the administration’s ambitious development agenda depends heavily on safety and stability. “We can confidently say that violent crimes have been reduced by over 80 percent in Enugu State today,” Mbah said. “But security is one area where even one breach can undermine all successes. That is why we continue to invest aggressively in technology, equipment, and intelligence.”
The ESSTF Chairman, Ike Chioke, represented by Board of Trustees member Nath Udeh, affirmed that criminals “no longer have hiding places,” adding that the new tools will further strengthen the governor’s efforts to make Enugu the safest place to live and invest.
With these developments, Enugu is arguably the first state in the Southeast—and second in Nigeria after Lagos—to operate a functional Security Trust Fund and deploy drones for safety operations.
Security experts have repeatedly spoken about how drone technology can transform Nigeria’s security landscape by providing real-time aerial surveillance, tracking the movement of armed groups in remote terrains, supporting rapid response units, and drastically reducing the risks faced by ground operatives during counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations.
This raises the question: if Enugu State can make such investments, why can’t other states and even the Federal Government replicate the model? After all, billions of naira have been spent on security nationwide with limited results. If drones offer a viable solution, why not deploy them more widely?
It is evident that the Mbah administration is not only ready but fully committed to securing Enugu State. The evidence is visible, measurable, and verifiable. It is no surprise that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Governor Mbah as Chairman of the Federal Committee on the Rehabilitation and Remodelling of Security Training Centres and other facilities.
Beyond security, the Mbah administration is transforming Enugu’s transportation landscape. After building five modern transport terminals, launching CNG buses, and improving intra-city mobility, the state is now preparing for a new phase of reforms.
According to the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, the government plans to introduce additional CNG buses and electric cars along designated urban routes where tricycles (Keke) and yellow minibuses will be restricted. This is part of the broader Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system designed to modernize the city’s transport infrastructure.
Affected routes include:
Okpara Avenue – Abakaliki Road – New Haven Junction – Naira Triangle – Emene Airport,
Ogui Road – Chime Avenue – Naira Triangle,
New Haven Junction – Bisala Road – Rangers Avenue – WAEC – Nkpokiti – Zik’s Avenue,
Ogui Road – Presidential Road – WAEC – Nkpokiti, and the entire Agbani Road axis. Taxis will still be permitted on the BRT routes.
Dr. Ozor explained that tricycles were never intended for high-speed highways and that their presence obstructs traffic flow and endangers lives.
“This reform is not about taking anyone’s job,” he said. “It is about reorganizing the system so BRT buses operate on primary routes, yellow buses on secondary routes, and tricycles provide last-mile connections. Everyone has a place in the value chain.”
Predictably, reactions have been mixed. But as with previous policy shifts, public criticism does not mean the reforms are harmful. What matters is the long-term benefit to the majority.
Some argue that Enugu is not Lagos, but as the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way. Lagos became a model not by chance but through bold, consistent policy decisions, among them the introduction of BRT lanes and the restriction of tricycles and motorcycles from certain routes. Enugu can achieve similar transformation with sustained political will.
As the heartbeat of the Eastern Region, Enugu deserves modern, efficient infrastructure and transportation systems. The Mbah administration’s bold steps in addressing long-standing deficits deserve commendation.
Notably, the state’s proposed ₦10 billion allocation in the 2026 budget for its equity contribution to the first phase of a 135.5-km standard gauge rail project is set to further revolutionize transportation and enhance mobility for residents and visitors to the state.
