By Nkechinyere Ewa, Abakaliki
The Commander of the Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch, Prince Victor Chibuoyi Nwenyi, has stressed that comprehensive and professional training will be the deciding factor in the success of state policing in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview, Nwenyi said while the creation of state police would strengthen grassroots security, its effectiveness would depend on recruiting competent personnel and equipping them with the right skills, knowledge and ethical standards.
He urged governments to go beyond physical and combat training by engaging professionals in criminology, security studies and law to educate recruits on human rights, intelligence gathering, victim protection, counter-terrorism and lawful law enforcement.
“A law enforcement officer must know the law he is expected to enforce. Proper training will help officers carry out their duties professionally and avoid abuses,” he said.
Nwenyi expressed confidence that Ebonyi State is well positioned to implement state policing, citing Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to security and the state’s peaceful record.
According to him, recruiting indigenes into the state police would improve intelligence gathering because local officers understand the terrain, culture and communities better than personnel deployed from outside the state.
He noted that local knowledge has proven effective in complementing conventional security operations in different parts of the country, particularly in difficult terrains.
The commander dismissed fears that state police would be used as political tools during elections, insisting that proper legal frameworks, professional training and institutional oversight would ensure accountability.
“State police are not political thugs. Their responsibility is to protect lives and property and enforce the law without bias,” he said.
He also described state policing as an opportunity to create employment for thousands of Nigerian youths while improving security coverage across the country.
On allegations of jungle justice and abuse by security operatives, Nwenyi maintained that the Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch operates a strict disciplinary system and does not tolerate human rights violations.
He said suspects arrested by the outfit are always handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution, stressing that no individual should be punished without due process.
Nwenyi further assured residents that the proposed state police would complement existing security agencies rather than replace them, adding that collaboration among all security outfits remains essential to maintaining peace and tackling crime effectively.