Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has called for a financially independent and technology-driven state police system, arguing that sustainable funding and modern security infrastructure will be essential to the success of policing reforms currently under consideration in Nigeria.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abuja themed "Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security," Mbah said the legal framework establishing state police should balance national standards with local decision-making, ensuring states have the capacity to effectively address their unique security challenges.
The governor stressed that state police services should enjoy financial autonomy through a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, similar to the funding arrangements already available to the judiciary and state legislatures.
According to him, guaranteed funding would enable the proposed police services to operate efficiently without political or financial interference.
Mbah argued that effective policing requires substantial investment in technology, intelligence gathering and surveillance systems rather than relying solely on traditional law enforcement methods.
He maintained that modern security threats demand equally modern responses supported by innovation and real-time intelligence.
Using Enugu State as an example, the governor recalled that his administration inherited serious security challenges in 2023, including widespread disruptions caused by illegal sit-at-home orders that affected businesses, education and social activities.
He said restoring security became the administration's first priority because economic growth could not be achieved without public safety.
According to Mbah, the state responded by investing heavily in an AI-enabled Safe City Surveillance System equipped with both fixed and mobile CCTV cameras to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve emergency response capabilities.
He noted that the technology has significantly enhanced security monitoring but required considerable financial investment.
Addressing concerns that governors could abuse state police for political purposes, Mbah dismissed the fears, stating that constitutional safeguards and institutional checks should prevent misuse of the proposed security structure.
He also remarked that no elected governor remains in office permanently, making it important to build institutions that outlive individual administrations.
The governor further advocated a policing framework built on four key pillars: national standards, national support, local capability and local decision-making.
He argued that such a model would ensure consistency across the country while allowing individual states to respond effectively to their peculiar security realities.
The debate over state police has intensified following the National Assembly's progress on constitutional amendments aimed at decentralising policing in Nigeria.
While many stakeholders support the proposal as a solution to rising insecurity, others continue to call for strong safeguards to prevent political interference and ensure accountability.