State Police: Mbah Demands Financial Autonomy, AI-Driven Security Infrastructure, Dismisses Abuse Fears

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has called for financial autonomy, constitutional backing and sustained investment in technology for proposed state police services, arguing that effective policing at the subnational level requires adequate funding, operational independence and modern security infrastructure.

Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security,” organised by Arise News in Abuja on Thursday, Mbah said any legal framework establishing state police should strike a balance between national standards, federal support and local operational control.

The governor stressed that state police institutions should enjoy financial autonomy through a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, similar to state judiciaries and legislatures.

“The importance of funding the state police system effectively cannot be overemphasised,” he said, adding that adequate and predictable funding would be critical to sustaining effective policing at the state level.

Drawing from Enugu State’s experience, Mbah said his administration inherited a severe security crisis in 2023, with illegal sit-at-home orders crippling economic activities, shutting down nightlife and preventing many students from completing their academic programmes.

He said the government responded by making significant investments in technology, including AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, static and mobile security cameras, and the establishment of a Distress Response Squad (DRS) to ensure rapid response to security incidents.

According to him, the state also created a unified Command and Control Centre that integrates the operations of the police, the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies through a common communication platform.

Mbah said the combined strategy had reduced violent crime in the state by more than 90 per cent, demonstrating the importance of technology-driven security and coordinated policing.

The governor further advocated constitutional recognition for state police while recommending that operational details be left to an Act of the National Assembly to allow future reforms without requiring constitutional amendments.

Addressing concerns that governors could abuse state police, Mbah dismissed the fears, noting that elected governors have constitutionally limited tenures.

“Nobody is a governor forever. We all return to being ordinary citizens one day. What is important is ensuring governors have sufficient operational authority to meet their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property,” he said.

He maintained that state police would be more effective if state governments are empowered with the resources, technology and authority required to respond swiftly to emerging security threats while operating within nationally agreed standards.