Enugu State has witnessed remarkable transformation under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, whose forward-thinking policies and tireless work ethic have earned him a reputation as one of the most effective governors in Nigeria today. From infrastructure development to education reforms and urban renewal projects, Mbah’s administration has placed Enugu on a path toward genuine progress.
However, the persistent wave of insecurity, particularly the alarming rise in kidnappings, now threatens to derail the good work being done across the state. If urgent steps are not taken to address these threats, the lives of citizens, the state’s economy, and the overall developmental strides may all suffer devastating setbacks.
In recent weeks, the state has become a hotspot for kidnappers. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the area near the Api Opi shrine has become a recurring scene of abductions. Just this past Tuesday, a vehicle reportedly carrying a foreign national was targeted near Samuel Maduka Onyishi Maduka University and College, Ekwegbe. The situation intensified the next day with two more kidnapping incidents reported along the same route.
These disturbing events have heightened fears among commuters and residents, many of whom now avoid the road altogether. Locals claim that the area is slowly falling under the control of criminal elements, with little to no presence of security forces to deter them.
As fear spreads and confidence in public safety wanes, citizens are calling on the state government and relevant security agencies to take swift and decisive action. The people of Enugu deserve to feel safe in their communities, and this cannot be compromised, no matter the level of infrastructural development in the state.
Adding to the challenges, water scarcity remains another critical issue facing residents. Despite Governor Mbah’s impressive efforts in other sectors, the consistent lack of access to clean and reliable water in many parts of the state continues to be a pressing concern. Water is life, and its absence affects both public health and overall well-being.
Governor Peter Mbah must be commended for his visible and laudable transformation of Enugu State. However, there can be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. As one of the best-performing governors in Nigeria, the people are looking up to him not only to sustain the progress already made but to confront and resolve the security and water crises head-on.
It is time for the government to double down on security efforts, mobilize law enforcement agencies, and invest in intelligence-led operations to reclaim the roads and communities from criminal hands. In doing so, Governor Mbah will not only secure the gains already made but also reaffirm the people’s trust in his leadership.
Enugu must remain a beacon of hope and development — not a state held hostage by insecurity.
