Financial autonomy, technology key to effective state police operations, says Mbah

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has said financial autonomy and investment in modern security technology are critical to the success of proposed state police services, stressing that adequate funding and operational independence are essential to improving security across the country.

Mbah made the call on Thursday at a town hall meeting on “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security,” organised by Arise News in Abuja. He said any legal framework establishing state police should balance national standards and support with local capacity and local decision-making.

The governor argued that state police commissions should enjoy a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund to guarantee sustainable funding, similar to the judiciary and legislature in the states. According to him, effective financing is critical to the success of any state policing system.

Drawing from Enugu State’s experience, Mbah recalled that when his administration assumed office in 2023, the state faced serious security challenges, including widespread insecurity, the disruption of nightlife and the impact of illegal sit-at-home orders, which prevented many students from sitting their final examinations.

“The importance of funding the state police system effectively cannot be overemphasised. Having a State Police Service Commission that has a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund is in order. The key thing is providing enough funding to be able to sustain the state policing system,” he said.

Mbah said his administration responded by investing heavily in technology, including an AI-enabled Safe City Surveillance System, static and mobile CCTV cameras, a Distress Response Squad and a unified Command and Control Centre linking the police, military and Department of State Services. He said the measures had reduced violent crime in the state by more than 90 per cent.

The governor also called for constitutional provisions establishing state police while leaving operational details to an Act of the National Assembly, saying such an approach would allow future reforms without the need for constitutional amendments.

Addressing concerns that governors could abuse state police, Mbah dismissed the fears, noting that governors are elected for limited terms. He said the focus should be on giving state chief executives sufficient operational authority to effectively tackle security challenges rather than limiting their powers.