Enugu youths stand together against crime and support security efforts

Residents and youths of Enugu State marched through the streets of the capital on Friday. They showed their support for the government's fight against insecurity. They declared they will not tolerate terror, crime, or violent extremism.

The youths included students and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). They all gathered at Government House, Enugu, where they met the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah. They promised to mobilise other young people in the state against crime and violence.

Mbah spoke to the group and said that security is a major issue his administration is focusing on. He mentioned that this was part of the plan for development in the state. He decided to tackle the problem from the very beginning of his administration.

The governor praised the youths for supporting the anti-crime efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the Enugu State Government. He said his administration’s “Tomorrow Is Here” slogan is not just a political statement but a promise to invest in young people who will build the future of the state.

Mbah said, “For you to march through the streets and end here preaching the message against crime and terrorism is profound. Ordinarily, we should be the ones preaching to you against such vices.

“But by this act, you are telling us that you are not going to be on the fringes or stand by and watch. Rather, you are going to be at the forefront of the campaign against cultism, crime and terrorism.”

He added that when youths get more involved in fighting crime, it will lead to a big drop in criminal activities. This would allow resources to be used for job creation and reducing poverty.

Mbah pointed out that some countries have closed many of their prisons after seeing a major drop in crime. He believes Nigeria can also see this change if young people take charge of the fight against crime.

The governor mentioned that the state has a zero-tolerance approach to crime. He believes that a safer Enugu will attract more investors and boost the economy.

He encouraged the youths to spread their message against crime and terrorism throughout the state. He said their efforts would show that crime is no longer appealing to young people.

According to him, the government will support the youths through non-military means. This includes creating jobs and investing in education and digital skills training.

Mbah said, “Your campaign is heartwarming. When citizens apply scholarly and constructive approaches, government will be glad to engage them constructively and productively too.”

Earlier, a leader of the march and Deputy Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Dr. Emeka Ejim, spoke about the coalition. He said it is a wide-ranging youth movement that includes corps members and students, all united against crime, cultism, and terrorism.

Ejim pledged their support for the state's security efforts. He noted that Enugu has made a name for itself in the fight against crime and cultism with both military and non-military actions, including job creation and skills training.

“We pledge never to join bad groups within and outside Nigeria. We are joining you against terrorism,” he said.

Also speaking, Okeke Kelvin, the Enugu State leader of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said they will mobilise at least two million youths to support the fight against violence and terror.

“This is the only way we can show you that we are against terror. We say no to terrorism,” Kelvin said.

The student leader praised the state government for investing in modern security systems. He mentioned the Command and Control Centre, the Centre for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation, and the Distress Response Squad (DRS), all of which he said are producing results.

“For instance, they tried you at Affa in Udi, and in no time the kidnappers realized they cannot ply their trade in Enugu State,” he noted.

NYSC members Olaranju Oreose and Emmanuela Momoh thanked Governor Mbah for the peace and security in Enugu. They said the state has changed their views and calmed their fears about being posted to the South East region.

“I am Olaranju, representing the General CDS President. Sir, as a corps member from the South West, and I have been in Enugu from January till now, I want to say that my journey and experience so far here has been wonderful in terms of security.

“Initially, I had the fear of coming this far distance to Enugu. But having been here, I have changed that thinking. I want to let you know that no one amongst us here, no matter the tribe, no matter the religion, is supporting terrorism.”