By Reuben Onyishi (Ugoachataberu)
When Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah took the reins of leadership in Enugu State, he inherited a landscape clouded by palpable fear, insecurity, and economic stagnation. Non-state actors had seized the Southeast by the jugular, issuing decrees and enforcing Monday sit-at-home orders that crippled the economy and paralyzed daily life. In those days, defying the order was akin to flirting with death. It was in this grim reality that Mbah stepped in, resolved to change the narrative—and he did, in a way that many consider unprecedented.
Fast forward to today, the question resonates loudly across political, social, and media circles: Who has done better in terms of security than Governor Peter Mbah? The evidence, many argue, speaks volumes—and loudly too.
Breaking the Chain of Fear
The first significant security milestone of Mbah’s administration was his bold move against the infamous Monday sit-at-home order. While many leaders tiptoed around the issue, Governor Mbah confronted it head-on. Declaring that the sit-at-home would no longer be tolerated in Enugu State, he took the unusual step of personally supervising the reopening of banks, shopping malls, and major business establishments across the state. His stance was clear: Enugu would not be held hostage by fear.
Critics and skeptics held their breath, expecting chaos. But none came. The state experienced a remarkable return to normalcy. Shops that defied the order were sealed, but the greater achievement was psychological—the people began to shed their fear and reclaim their daily lives. This singular act earned Mbah national recognition, including the New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award for Courage in Leadership.
A Command Centre Like No Other
Building on the momentum, Governor Mbah launched what is arguably one of the most sophisticated security infrastructures in Nigeria—the Enugu State Command and Control Centre. Commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself, the centre boasts state-of-the-art gadgets, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered surveillance systems, real-time monitoring screens, data analytics hubs, and emergency communication channels.
From this nerve center, Enugu’s security apparatus is able to monitor activities across strategic locations in the state in real-time. The AI-enabled cameras are not just watching—they are intelligent. These systems are linked with facial and plate number recognition capabilities, making it nearly impossible for criminal elements to evade justice.
The Distress Response Squad (DRS): A Game Changer
Another feather in Mbah’s security cap is the creation of the Distress Response Squad (DRS)—a special operations unit designed for rapid deployment and swift intervention. Equipped with over 200 AI-embedded patrol vehicles, the DRS is a mobile fortress of surveillance and firepower. These vehicles operate with cutting-edge technology that can identify stolen vehicles even if license plates are changed.
The DRS has been instrumental in tightening the noose around criminal networks across the state. From urban centers to remote communities, the presence of the DRS offers a visible deterrent to would-be lawbreakers. Enugu residents now speak of a renewed sense of safety, attributing it to the DRS’s relentless presence on the roads and in neighborhoods.
Tackling Kidnapping and Rural Crime
One flashpoint that has gained notoriety in recent years is the Opi-Ugwuogo Road, known for sporadic incidents of kidnapping. Detractors have often used incidents on this stretch to cast a shadow on the administration’s security record. However, facts on the ground suggest otherwise.
Today, the road is lined with multiple police checkpoints, each reinforced with armored vehicles and supported by DRS patrols. Intelligence-sharing between traditional law enforcement agencies and the DRS has led to the capture of numerous kidnapping syndicates. In many cases, perpetrators barely make it out before being tracked down. Security experts argue that engaging in kidnapping along that axis has become a near-suicidal venture, thanks to the state’s aggressive countermeasures.
Security and Economic Revival: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Governor Mbah understood from day one that economic development cannot thrive in a climate of fear. His ambitious vision of transforming Enugu into a private sector-driven economy hinged squarely on one thing—security. Investors, both local and foreign, can tolerate financial and commercial risks, but not security risks.
It is this understanding that has driven Mbah to spare no expense in ensuring that Enugu becomes a safe haven for business, innovation, and investment. From grassroots policing to high-tech surveillance, every layer of security in the state has been fortified to support a thriving economy.
Political Gimmicks or Genuine Concern?
Recently, narratives have emerged in certain quarters claiming that parts of the state—especially Isi-Uzo and Uzo-Uwani—have experienced mass killings. These allegations, largely unverified, have been described by analysts as politically motivated attempts to undermine Mbah’s security achievements. The opposition, some argue, is clutching at straws.
“Yes, there have been unfortunate incidents here and there,” one security analyst noted. “But to suggest that Enugu is unsafe, in spite of all the state has put in place, is not only dishonest but harmful.”
Indeed, the federal government is yet to replicate in any state the kind of security command centre that Mbah has built in Enugu. It raises the question—how can an administration that has gone this far be accused of negligence in security?
A Legacy Forged in Courage
Governor Mbah’s approach to security has not been without risks. He dared what no one dared before. He challenged entrenched forces and restructured an entire state’s sense of safety. From breaking the cycle of fear created by non-state actors, to deploying AI-powered vehicles and establishing a world-class security command center, the milestones are not only real—they are redefining what is possible in sub-national security management in Nigeria.
Yes, like every state across the globe, Enugu is not immune to isolated incidents of crime. But what distinguishes it is the swift, structured, and systematic response mechanisms now in place.
So, as the question echoes once more: Who has done better? The facts on the ground tell the story of a governor who looked insecurity in the face and refused to blink.
Indeed, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is not just tackling security—he is reshaping it.
