The Enugu State Government has reconstituted a 20-member Neighbourhood Watch squad for Nomeh Unateze community, intensifying grassroots security efforts in line with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s governance philosophy, which places security at the heart of development.
The reconstitution ceremony, held at the Community Primary School, Nomeh, in Nkanu East Local Government Area, saw the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, charge the newly constituted operatives to discharge their duties with courage, integrity, professionalism and strict respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Represented by the Enugu State Director of the Neighbourhood Watch in the Ministry, Chief Uchenna Ozomgbachi, Prof. Okoli described the assignment as a sacred trust, stressing that Governor Mbah’s vision of a $30 billion economy would be driven largely from rural communities through investments such as the planned 260 modern farm estates across the state’s 250 wards.
She noted, however, that such economic ambitions could only be realised in an atmosphere of safety and stability across every part of the state.
“This is a light being placed in your hands to safeguard the lives and property of the people of Nomeh-Unateze. You must not disgrace yourselves. Serve with diligence, avoid extortion, and never torture the people you are meant to protect,” she said.
The Commissioner assured the operatives that the state government would ensure regular payment of their stipends and provide the necessary logistics to enable them function effectively, adding that the presence of the Neighbourhood Watch would help to nip criminal activities in the bud.
Prof. Okoli commended the 20-man squad for accepting the responsibility of strengthening peace and security in the community, while also calling on the traditional ruler and other stakeholders to support the outfit materially and otherwise.
“Our constitution provides for a security levy. Every household in Nomeh must contribute to the maintenance of this security outfit. Anyone who refuses to pay is working against the community and should be seen as such,” she stated.
She further advised the community to open a dedicated bank account for the security levy and other contributions to ensure transparency and accountability.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Highness, Igwe Lt. Col. Israel Okonkwo Mbah (rtd), expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah and the Ministry for reconstituting and strengthening the community’s Neighbourhood Watch.
“The first Neighbourhood Watch in Nomeh-Unateze was formed in 2015. This community has been committed to security for decades. For the governor to remember us and reconstitute this outfit is a great achievement in the right direction,” the monarch said, pledging the full support of the community to the security outfit.
He also thanked community stakeholders who had committed their time and resources to the cause, urging sustained support for the Neighbourhood Watch.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Amagunze Police Division, CSP Obasuyi Wilson, described the Nomeh axis as a security challenge in the past, but expressed optimism that the reconstituted team would work closely with the police to consolidate on gains already recorded through the support of the Mbah administration.
“I am here to congratulate the selected Neighbourhood Watch members. There are many challenges on ground, and I believe this crop of men chosen by stakeholders will work hand-in-hand with the police to keep the community in order,” he said.
CSP Wilson warned the operatives against abuse of power, stressing that arrests must be based on genuine offences and not trivial matters.
“You do not have the power to torture suspects. Once you arrest someone, hand them over to the police immediately. There is no approved detention facility outside the police station,” he stressed.
He further advised the team to operate in groups, remain security-conscious at all times, promptly report threats, and always appear in uniform for proper identification.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nomeh Unateze Town Union Caretaker Committee, Dr. Chukwudi Anyianuka, charged the Neighbourhood Watch to safeguard completed, ongoing and future projects of the Governor Peter Mbah administration in the community.
“You must protect our Smart Green School, Type II Primary Healthcare Centre, and the equipment of contractors working on the Nomeh–Mburubu–Narah Road, Nomeh–Oduma Road, among others,” Anyianuka said.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated leadership, the Chairman of the Nomeh-Unateze Neighbourhood Watch, Chief Ejike Ugwu, thanked the state government, traditional institution and community stakeholders for finding them worthy of the responsibility, pledging to justify the confidence reposed in them.
“I pledge that we will put all that has been said here to work to ensure that Nomeh Unateze is peaceful and safe. We will work closely as a team and with the community and security agencies to protect lives and property,” Ugwu assured.
The reconstitution of the Nomeh-Unateze Neighbourhood Watch is expected to deepen community-based security and complement the Enugu State Government’s broader drive to build a safer and more secure society.
