The Enugu State Government has reconstituted a 20-member the Neighbourhood Watch for the Nomeh Unateze community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state as part of the efforts to strengthen security at the grassroots.
Speaking at the event on Sunday, the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Benedett Okoli, said that the security outfit would assist in combating crime in the community.
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The commissioner was represented by the Director in-charge of the Neighbourhood Watch in the Ministry, Uchenna Ozomgbachi.
He said that the exercise was in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership thrust, which places security at the centre of governance.
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He urged members of the outfit to serve with courage, integrity, vigour, and respect for human rights and rule of law.
The commissioner, who described the assignment as a sacred responsibility, reminded them that much of the $30 billion economy Mr Mbah envisioned would come from rural communities.
He said that this would be made possible through investments in agriculture such as the 260 modern farm estates to be constructed across the 250 wards of the state.
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“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,” he 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.
Mr Okoli commended the 20-man squad for accepting the responsibility of strengthening peace and security in Nomeh Unateze, and also called on the traditional ruler and other stakeholders to support the outfit materially and otherwise.
‘This community committed to security for decades’
In his remark, the traditional ruler of the community, Israel Mbah, expressed gratitude to the state government 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,” he said.
He pledged the community’s support for the outfit, and thanked community stakeholders, who had committed their time and money to the course and urged for more support to the security outfit.
On his part, the Divisional Police Officer of Amagunze Police Division, Wilson Obasuyi, said the Nomeh axis was a security challenge in the past.
He expressed optimism that the reconstituted team would work with the police to build on the successes recorded by the police and other security agencies.
“I am here to congratulate the selected Neighbourhood Watch members.
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“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.
Mr Obasuyi, a chief superintendent of police, warned the operatives against abuse of power, stressing that arrests must be based on genuine offences and not trivial matters.
He urged them to report security threats promptly and always appear in uniform for proper identification.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated neighborhood watch, its Chairman, Ejike Ugwu, thanked the Enugu State Government, traditional institution and community stakeholders for finding them worthy to serve, and promised 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,” he assured.
(NAN)
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