The Enugu State Government has reconstituted a 20-member Neighbourhood Watch squad for the Nomeh Unateze community.

This came as part of renewed efforts to strengthen grassroots security in line with the leadership thrust of Governor Peter Mbah, which places security at the centre of governance.

The reconstitution ceremony took place at Community Primary School, Nomeh, in Nkanu East Local Council, where the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, charged the newly constituted team to serve with courage, integrity, vigour, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Represented by the Enugu State Director of the Neighbourhood Watch in the ministry, Uchenna Ozomgbachi, Prof Okoli described the assignment as a sacred responsibility. She reminded the operatives that much of the $30 billion economy envisioned by Mbah would be driven by rural communities through investments in agriculture, including the construction of 260 modern farm estates across the 250 wards of the state. She said this could only be achieved with adequate security in all parts 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 to function effectively, noting that the presence of the Neighbourhood Watch would help nip crime in the bud.

Okoli commended the 20-man squad for accepting the responsibility of strengthening peace and security in Nomeh Unateze and called 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 advised the community to open a dedicated bank account for the security levy and other financial contributions to ensure transparency and accountability.

In his remarks, the traditional ruler of the community, Israel Okonkwo Mbah, 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 also thanked community stakeholders who had committed their time and resources to the cause and urged increased support for the Neighbourhood Watch.

The Divisional Police Officer of Amagunze Police Division, Obasuyi Wilson, described the Nomeh axis as a security challenge in the past but expressed optimism that the reconstituted team would work with the police to build on the successes recorded by security agencies under the Mbah administration.

“I am here to congratulate the selected Neighbourhood Watch members. There are many challenges on the 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.

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 said.

He also advised the operatives to work in groups, remain security-conscious at all times, promptly report threats and always appear in uniform for proper identification.

The Chairman of the Nomeh Unateze Town Union Caretaker Committee, Chukwudi Anyianuka, impressed on the Neighbourhood Watch team the need to protect completed, ongoing and future projects of the Mbah administration in the community.

“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 charged.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated leadership, the Chairman of the Nomeh-Unateze Neighbourhood Watch, Ejike Ugwu, thanked the state government, the traditional institution and community stakeholders for finding them worthy of the assignment, pledging to justify the trust reposed in them.