By Onyekere Ifeanyi – The Sight News
Enugu: In a bid to stem the tide of insecurity, the Enugu state government has purchased 360 vehicles for different security agencies, including the newly formed Forest Guard in the state.
Recall that there has been rise in insecurity in recent months, including the killing of a Catholic clergyman by suspected herdsmen, in a state once considered one of the most peaceful in the region.
While showing journalists the vehicles around government house in Enugu on Wednesday, the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, reiterated his government’s efforts towards tackling insecurity in the state.
He said that majority of the security vehicles would be deployed for community policing in line with his government’s agenda, which is rural-driven.
Governor Ugwuanyi revealed that an executive bill would be sent to the state House of Assembly to institute a Security Trust Fund, to ensure sustainability to security apparatus set up in the state.
Meanwhile, some residents of Enugu described the move as a step in the right direction, pointing out that more needed to be done.
A resident, Comrade Chinedu Celestine pointed out that, “Mobility is one of the things that can improve and enhance the operations of the security agents.”
He added that, “Purchasing 360 vehicles for security is not a bad one, though may not be enough to cover the nooks and cranny of the whole state. Forest drones, surveillance systems and introduction of some scout gadgets to alert the security agents when there are irregular activities in the forests or even anywhere in the state are technological means to fighting insecurity that wouldn’t even cost as much”.
For Victor Udeogu, the development is, “Just one of the so many other ways to aid in security response cum beefing up security against the impending issue of insurgency and insecurity in the state”.
The vehicles which includes 100 Hilux vans, will go to the Nigeria Army, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp while the other vehicles would be distributed to the 260 electoral wards in the state.
