Chioke: Enugu Needs N5b Annual Funding to Achieve Sustainable Security in Communities-   Donors yet to redeem outstanding N1.7b pledged in 2025

–         Effective security requires boots on the ground

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Enugu

A security funding to the tune of N5 billion must be made available annually for Enugu State to achieve sustainable security across its communities, the Chairman of the State Security Trust Fund(ESSTF), Dr. Ike Chioke, has said.

He stated this at a town hall meeting in Enugu organised by the Fund to keep residents and stakeholders abreast of its activities, achievements, and funding needs.

Chioke explained that the huge sum expected to be provided by both public and private sources would be used to effectively support security operations across the 260 political wards in the state.
“We need to raise at least N5 billion every year for the fund to function efficiently. If you consider the 260 wards in the state and deploy about 20 security personnel in each ward, paying each of them monthly, the financial implication becomes clear,” he said.

The ESSTF boss stated that a community-based security structure across all the 260 political wards entailed deployment of both personnel and needed security equipment, adding that effective security requires “boots on the ground”.

He noted that community-based intelligence gathering constituted a critical component of effective crime prevention hence the need to maintain security structure in all the communities of Enugu.

Chioke said the security architecture involved deployment of at least 20 security personnel in each ward, who would be charged with monitoring communities to detect unusual activities, and promptly relay intelligence to security agencies.

The ESSTF, he pointed out, operates as a public-private partnership, with government providing support while citizens, corporate organisations, and other stakeholders contribute resources to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

A security funding drive was formally launched during which many donors pledged to contribute funds running into billions of naira in support of government’s security initiatives.

But the chairman of the ESSTF has lamented that several donors that made commitments were yet to redeem their pledges.

“During the fundraising, about N3 billion was pledged, but only around N1.3 billion has been redeemed so far. Some people announced donations of up to N100 million but have not paid a kobo,” he said.
Nonetheless, the Fund chairman appealed to donors with outstanding pledges to hasten up and redeem them without further delay.
He stated this at a town hall meeting in Enugu organised by the Fund to keep residents and stakeholders abreast of its activities, achievements, and funding needs.

Chioke explained that the huge sum expected to be provided by both public and private sources would be used to effectively support security operations across the 260 political wards in the state.
“We need to raise at least N5 billion every year for the fund to function efficiently. If you consider the 260 wards in the state and deploy about 20 security personnel in each ward, paying each of them monthly, the financial implication becomes clear,” he said.

The ESSTF boss stated that a community-based security structure across all the 260 political wards entailed deployment of both personnel and needed security equipment, adding that effective security requires “boots on the ground”.

He noted that community-based intelligence gathering constituted a critical component of effective crime prevention hence the need to maintain security structure in all the communities of Enugu.

Chioke said the security architecture involved deployment of at least 20 security personnel in each ward, who would be charged with monitoring communities to detect unusual activities, and promptly relay intelligence to security agencies.

The ESSTF, he pointed out, operates as a public-private partnership, with government providing support while citizens, corporate organisations, and other stakeholders contribute resources to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

A security funding drive was formally launched during which many donors pledged to contribute funds running into billions of naira in support of government’s security initiatives.

But the chairman of the ESSTF has lamented that several donors that made commitments were yet to redeem their pledges.

“During the fundraising, about N3 billion was pledged, but only around N1.3 billion has been redeemed so far. Some people announced donations of up to N100 million but have not paid a kobo,” he said.
Nonetheless, the Fund chairman appealed to donors with outstanding pledges to hasten up and redeem them without further delay.

He also appealed to residents, businesses, and members of the Enugu diaspora to support the security initiative as such  contributions would significantly enhance security across the state.
Chioke recalled that following its  inauguration by Governor Peter Mbah in February 2024, the ESSTF had since established a functional operational structure, including a dedicated website and payment portal to facilitate contributions from individuals and organisations.

He said that while waiting for the outstanding N1.7 billion pledges to be redeemed, the money so far realised had been used to procure security equipment that were already in use to enhance security operations in the state.
According to him, the procured items include two surveillance drones equipped with infra-red cameras, 10 Hilux patrol vehicles, 40 motorcycles for forest guards, and 400 bulletproof vests and helmets.
He said that the equipment had significantly strengthened ongoing efforts to tackle security threats such as kidnapping and the  menace of herders.

Chioke noted that available statistics indicated that incidents of kidnapping and related crimes in Enugu State have dropped by over 80 percent since the current administration came into office.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who represented Governor Peter Mbah at the event, commended the board of the Trust Fund for creating a platform that enables citizens to actively participate in strengthening security in the state.

He noted that the establishment of the ESSTF was part of the administration’s broader strategy to build a sustainable security architecture anchored on transparency, accountability, and collaboration between government and citizens.

He stated the improved security environment prevailing in the state had helped stimulate economic activities, contributing to the significant growth in the state’s internally generated revenue(IGR) in recent years.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Vincent Onyeabor, assured the Mbah administration would continue to address security concerns across different parts of the state.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, called for greater public exposure of suspects arrested through the deployment of surveillance drones and other security operations in order to strengthen public confidence.
He also suggested that traditional rulers should be involved in the recruitment of forest guards, stressing that community participation remains essential in sustaining security across the state.