The Enugu State Government, at the weekend, reconstituted a 20-member Neighbourhood Watch squad for Nomeh Unateze community as part of the renewed efforts to strengthen grassroots security in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership thrust, which places security at the centre of governance.
The reconstitution ceremony took place at Community Primary School, Nomeh, in Nkanu East LGA of the state, where the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, charged the newly constituted team to serve with courage, integrity, vigour, and respect for human rights and rule of law.
Represented by the Enugu State Director of the Neighbourhood Watch in the Ministry, Chief Uchenna Ozomgbachi, Prof. Okoli who described the assignment as a sacred responsibility, reminded them that much of the $30 billion economy Mbah envisioned would come from rural communities through investment in agriculture such as the 260 modern farm estates to be constructed in the 250 wards of the state. But she said this could only happen with utmost security in all nooks and crannies 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 provision of the necessary logistics that would enable them to function effectively, noting that the presence of the Neighbourhood Watch would help to nip crime in the bud.
Prof Okoli commended the 20-man squad for accepting the responsibility of strengthening peace and security in Nomeh Unateze, 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 financial stakeholders 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 outfit.
He thanked community stakeholders, who had committed their time and money to the course and urged for more support to the Neighborhood Watch outfit.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Amagunze Police Division, CSP Obasuyi Wilson, described Nomeh axis as a security challenge in the past, but expressed optimism that the reconstituted team would work the police to build on the successes recorded by the police and other security agencies 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 also advised the team to operate in groups and remain security-conscious at all times for their own safety. He further urged them to report security threats promptly and always appear in uniform for proper identification.
The Chairman, Nomeh Unateze Town Union Caretaker Committee, Dr. Chukwudi Anyianuka, impressed on the Neighborhood Watch team the need to protect the various completed, ongoing, and future projects by the Governor Peter Mbah Administration in Nomeh.
“You must protect our Smart Green School, Type II Primary Healthcare Centre, and the equipment of contractors working on Nomeh-Mburubu-Narah Road, Nomeh-Oduma Road, among others,” Anyianuka charges them.
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 in character and capacity for the onerous assignment, promising to justify the trust 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 ongoing efforts by the Enugu State Government to build a safer and more secure society.
