Ben Ezechime, Enugu
In spite of recent reported cases of killings in Ehamufu and other parts of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah has insisted that the State remained one of the safest in Nigeria describing contrary reports as mere propaganda by detractors.
Ikengaonline had reported attack on Farmers by suspected herdsmen in Mgbuji, Ehamufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, which left four people dead the previous week.
Mbah’s declaration came when he received the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Oladepo Abayomi on Wednesday at Government House, Enugu.
The Governor said the state government had put proactive measures in place and invested in capacity to solve every single crime and bring the perpetrators to book.
He said that he was aware that his administration could not achieve the ambition to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn and position it as the premier destination for investment, business, tourism and living without security, hence his decision to invest huge resources and political will in fighting the scourge of insecurity from the outset.
He maintained that with the enormity of security infrastructure such as the Command and Control Centre, establishment of Distress Response Squad special police unit with over 150 security vehicles, installation of AI-enabled cameras across the state for surveillance, and other resources put in place, Enugu had acquired the capacity to not only prevent crimes, but also to solve them when they occur.
“Enugu is the most secure city in the country, unarguably, save for people, who like to magnify things, and who believe that the security we enjoy in Enugu is disturbing them.
“So, they like to sometimes conjecture things to somehow entertain their views or opinions. What they do is to post or peddle falsehood on social media by going back to things that happened years ago to make them appear as if they are just happening.
“Also, things that happened elsewhere, they make it appear as if they are happening in Enugu.
“I have seen some images and videos recently of things that never happened here, but made to look as it they happened here in Enugu State.
“Therefore, if we discount those false narratives, those fake narratives that we hear from social media, Enugu as I mentioned, unarguably is the safest city in this country,” Mbah said.
He added that, however, the state government was not going to rest on its oars.
“We have to see that our security agents are alive to their responsibilities, to their duties.
“We do not have any tolerance for insecurity, for crime in Enugu State.
“We are going to continue to work with the security agencies to ensure that we sustain this security we are enjoying in the state today.”
Speaking earlier, AIG Oladipo Abayomi said he had received security briefings from the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, CP Bitrus Giwa, and his Anambra State counterpart, CP Ikioye Orutugu, and rolled out modalities for synergy in fighting crime.
He commended the governor for the notable improvement in security of lives and property in the state.
“I can tell you that what we have put in place is really working for us.
“I want to thank you for the support and your cooperation with the police and other security agencies of the state,” he stated.
