Let us not forget that before Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah assumed office on May 29, 2023, Enugu State was a city under siege. The Coal City, once a beacon of promise in Nigeria’s Southeast, had been reduced to a shadow of itself. Crippling insecurity, marked by rampant kidnappings, ritual killings, and a suffocating sit-at-home culture, turned vibrant streets into ghost towns by 7 PM. Residents lived in fear, businesses crumbled, and the nightlife that once defined Enugu’s spirit was extinguished. The state’s security system had collapsed, leaving its people vulnerable and its economy paralyzed. Fast forward to 2025, and Governor Mbah’s bold leadership has rewritten Enugu’s story, restoring safety, reviving hope, and rekindling the city’s pulse.
Prior to Mbah’s administration, Enugu was synonymous with fear. Kidnappings were a daily terror, with notorious routes like the Nike-Ugwogo-Opi Road becoming hunting grounds for criminals. Families lived in dread, and travellers avoided the state’s highways. Ritual killings and armed attacks further eroded trust, painting Enugu as a no-go zone. The illegal sit-at-home orders enforced by criminal elements linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were a stranglehold on the state’s soul. Every Monday, businesses, schools, and markets shuttered, leaving streets like Ogui Road eerily deserted. The economic toll was staggering, with livelihoods destroyed and investors fleeing.
By 7 PM, Enugu transformed into a ghost town. Fear of kidnappers and armed gangs forced residents to barricade themselves indoors, killing the nightlife that once thrived in this cultural hub. Nightclubs, restaurants, and social spots stood empty, and the city’s vibrant youth were robbed of their freedom to socialize and dream. The collapse of Enugu’s security system was not just a failure of infrastructure but a betrayal of its people’s aspirations. For many, Enugu had become a place to survive, not to live.
Upon taking office, Governor Peter Mbah declared war on insecurity, recognizing it as the root of Enugu’s decline. His administration adopted a high-tech, proactive approach, deploying cutting-edge tools to reclaim the state. Over 150 patrol vehicles equipped with AI-embedded cameras, linked to a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre, became the backbone of a revitalized security network. CCTV surveillance and drones extended the government’s reach, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid response. Community policing initiatives empowered local stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration.
Mbah’s zero-tolerance policy for criminality yielded swift results. Operations targeting hideouts in areas like Mgbowo, Awgu, neutralized kidnappers, and recovered caches of arms. By 2024, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, hailed Enugu’s remarkable turnaround, noting extended periods without incidents of terrorism or kidnapping The people of Enugu, from traders in Ogbete Market to farmers in rural Nsukka, began to feel the weight of fear lift, replaced by a renewed sense of safety.
The sit-at-home orders were more than an inconvenience. They were a chokehold on Enugu’s economy and spirit. Mondays were days of loss, with deserted streets symbolizing a state under siege. Mbah’s bold ban on these illegal orders, announced early in his tenure, was a defining moment. Backed by robust security measures, including targeted operations against enforcers, the administration restored normalcy. By 2025, Mondays in Enugu are vibrant again. Schools buzz with students, markets teem with traders, and Ogui Road pulses with life.
Kidnapping was the hallmark of Enugu’s dark days, a scourge that deterred investment and confined residents to early curfews. Mbah’s high-tech interventions and relentless operations have drastically reduced this threat. Security forces have flushed out kidnappers from notorious routes, restoring safety to highways like Nike-Ugwogo-Opi Road.
The overall decline in crime is undeniable. While those who commit any crime, breach security never goes uncaught and unpunished, residents now travel with confidence, and investors are returning, drawn by Enugu’s newfound stability. The people’s voices echo this change, with market women, youths, and students alike praising Mbah for giving them back their freedom. Bringing them out of the shackles of chains: A state of chains Enugu was before governor mbah. His commitment to a secure, thriving future for the people of enugu can never be overemphazied. Ndi enugu must rally behind their governor, supporting community policing and reporting suspicious activities.
The story of Mbah is the story of the conquest of good over evil and the ultimate manifestation of the man who dares to dare destiny. Mbah will never allow men with hearts as dark as a sewer tunnel to have an upper hand over the good people of enugu state. He will continue to build on the achieved security momentum across the state
Governor Mbah’s efforts go beyond quick fixes. His administration has laid a foundation for sustained security through technology, community engagement, and economic empowerment. The 286.2% surge in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N37.4 billion in 2023 to N144.7 billion by September 2024 reflects Enugu’s economic revival, providing resources to maintain security infrastructure. Initiatives like smart schools and agricultural projects ensure that prosperity reaches all corners of the state, reducing the desperation that fuels crime. Mbah’s vision to grow Enugu’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion underscores his commitment to a secure, thriving future. The people of Enugu must rally behind their governor, supporting community policing and reporting suspicious activities.
Governor Peter Mbah has transformed Enugu from a city paralyzed by insecurity into a beacon of hope. By dismantling the sit-at-home culture, curbing kidnappings, and reviving nightlife, he has restored Coal City’s vibrancy. The collapse of Enugu’s security system is now a fading memory, replaced by a narrative of resilience and renewal. As Enugu shines brighter than ever, its people should stand united in support of a leader who turned fear into freedom.
----Nnamani is the special assistant to the governor on Media
