Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has inaugurated new hi-tech security equipment and patrol vehicles to strengthen the safety of lives and property in the state. The items were procured by the Enugu State Security Trust Fund, ESSTF.
The equipment includes two Vertical Take-off and Landing drones, ten Hilux 4×4 vehicles, forty motorcycles, 400 bulletproof vests, and 400 bulletproof helmets. Governor Mbah inaugurated the items at Government House, Enugu, and thanked the Trustees of ESSTF for their commitment to enhancing security.
He said the new equipment would complement existing investments, including the state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre, AI-enabled surveillance cameras, and over 150 Distress Response Squad vehicles fitted with AI-embedded cameras. Governor Mbah stated that security is essential to the success of the state’s vision and promised continued cooperation with the Federal Government to ensure safety across the country.
“The security challenges we face are local, and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the safety of its communities. These items will help maintain Enugu as the safest state in the country. Violent crimes have already been reduced by over 80 percent, but we must continue to invest in equipment and infrastructure to prevent crime and respond quickly when incidents occur,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of ESSTF, Ike Chioke, represented by Board member Nath Udeh, said there was no longer any hiding place for criminals. He explained that the newly inaugurated equipment would support the governor’s efforts to position Enugu as a safe state for living and investment. He highlighted that the improvement in security had contributed to increased business and visitor traffic in the state.
The Executive Secretary of ESSTF, Engr. Chinedu Ani, explained that the VTOL drones can operate in any terrain without a runway and have a coverage range of 100 kilometres. They can cruise at 120 kilometres per hour and are equipped with thermal, night vision, and daytime cameras. The AI-enabled cameras allow authorities to track suspects, vehicles, and individuals anywhere within the state.
A Trustee of ESSTF and Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onyekachi Onyia, emphasised the importance of the security investments. He noted that maintaining Enugu’s safety is crucial for the stability of the South East region.
