Less than a week after the meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and the Southern Traditional Rulers Council (SNTR) held at the Iperu-Remo home of the Ogun State to address the rising security concerns in the country particularly to address the menace within the region, the security landscape in Enugu State has received a major boost on Monday as Governor Peter Mbah unveiled two high-tech surveillance drones and a fresh fleet of operational vehicles to strengthen the state’s fight against violent crime.
The unveiling took place at the Command and Control Centre inside the Government House, a location that has become central to the state’s new security strategy.
At the event, the governor presented 10 security Hilux vans, 40 motorcycles, and 400 bulletproof helmets and vests. All the equipment was procured through the Enugu State Security Trust Fund, an initiative designed to pool resources from government and private partners to support security operations across the state.
For Governor Mbah, the ceremony was not just a show of new gadgets. It was a reminder that the state still has much more work to do. He made it clear that although he was pleased with the progress, he was not fully satisfied with the number of drones and vehicles available. According to him, the state needs far more tools to keep pace with emerging security threats.
The governor repeated his long-held position that security remains the top priority of his administration. He explained that while violent crime has dropped by more than 80 percent in recent months, the government cannot afford to slow down. In his words, relaxing now would allow criminal elements to regroup.
Mbah pointed out that the newly launched equipment aligns with the state’s larger Safe-City programme, which is aimed at building a modern security network across Enugu. This programme includes a growing network of cameras, tracking tools, and a central hub for real-time monitoring.
Recall that Nigeria has been under serious internal attacks on communities in Kwara, Niger and some other states, with schools and worship centers bombarded and people abducted
The drones unveiled on Monday in Enugu are among the most important components of this strategy. The governor described them as long-range surveillance machines capable of identifying, tracking, and capturing criminal activity from distances that regular patrol teams cannot cover.
Beyond their range, the drones are equipped with special day and night-vision cameras. This means they can operate in all conditions, from bright daylight to complete darkness. Officials believe this capability will help security teams keep a constant watch on high-risk areas that are difficult to patrol on foot.
Chinedu Anih, the Secretary of the Enugu State Security Trust Fund, provided more insight into the new technology. He explained that the drones will feed live images directly to the Command and Control Centre, allowing security agencies to respond faster to emergencies and suspicious movements.
The introduction of motorcycles, according to security experts, is also crucial. Motorcycles allow patrol teams to reach remote communities and rough terrain where vehicles struggle. With 40 new bikes added to the fleet, the state hopes to close surveillance gaps in rural areas.
Security personnel are expected to begin wider ground patrols immediately. The plan includes increased visibility in crime-prone neighbourhoods and consistent monitoring of major highways. Combined with the aerial surveillance from drones, officials say the state will now have a more complete view of potential threats.
The government believes these steps will help restore public confidence, especially in communities that have experienced attacks in the past. Residents have often complained about slow response times, but authorities say the new equipment will make rapid intervention far easier.
As Enugu State doubles down on its security efforts, the latest investments signal a long-term commitment to safety. For Governor Mbah, the goal is simple: create a secure environment where businesses can grow, citizens can move freely, and criminal networks have no hiding place.