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The Enugu State Security Trust Fund (ESSTF) says it requires about N5 billion annually to effectively support security operations across the state.
Chairman of the fund, Dr Ike Chioke, disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu during a town hall meeting organised by the trust fund to update residents on its activities and funding needs.
Chioke explained that the annual target would enable the fund to deploy and maintain community-based security personnel across the state’s 260 political wards.
According to him, the plan is to support the payment of at least 20 security personnel in each ward, noting that security goes beyond the provision of equipment.
“We need to be able to raise at least N5 billion every year for the fund to work efficiently.
“If you think about the 260 wards in the state and place about 20 security officials in each ward, paying even N20,000 per person monthly, you can work out what that amounts to,” he said.
He stressed that effective security required “boots on the ground” — personnel who can monitor communities, identify unusual activities and promptly report threats to authorities.
Chioke described the ESSTF as a public–private partnership initiative, noting that while the Enugu State Government provides support, citizens and organisations were expected to contribute to sustain the initiative.
He expressed concern that some donors who publicly pledged funds during fundraising in 2025 had yet to fulfil their commitments.
“When we announced donations, we raised about N3 billion in pledges, but only about N1.3 billion has been redeemed so far. Some people announced donations of up to N100 million but have not paid a kobo,” he said.
He appealed to residents, corporate organisations and individuals to make contributions, noting that smaller donations from many people could significantly support the fund.
Chioke said the fund was inaugurated by Gov. Peter Mbah, on Feb. 13, 2024, had since established its operational framework, including a website and payment portal to enable contributions from residents and members of the diaspora.
According to him, the funds realised have been used to procure security equipment to strengthen operations in the state.
The chairman listed the items to include two surveillance drones with infrared cameras, 10 Hilux vans, 40 motorcycles for forest guards, and 400 bulletproof vests and helmets.
He said the equipment had helped support ongoing efforts to address security challenges such as kidnapping and farmer–herder conflicts.
Chioke added that statistics indicated that incidents of kidnapping and related crimes in the state had dropped by more than 80 per cent since the current administration came into office.
Representing the governor at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the board of the trust fund for creating a platform that allows citizens to actively participate in strengthening security.
Onyia said the establishment of the ESSTF was part of the state government’s strategy to build a sustainable security architecture driven by transparency, accountability and collaboration between government and citizens.
He noted that improved security had helped boost economic activities in the state, adding that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had risen significantly in recent years.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Vincent Onyeabor, said the government was actively addressing security concerns in different parts of the state, noting that criminals often move across states to perpetrate crimes.
In a remark, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu,urged the government to publicly showcase suspects arrested through the use of surveillance drones and other security operations to boost public confidence.
He also stressed the need for traditional rulers to be involved in the recruitment of forest guards to enhance community participation in security efforts.
