This was disclosed by Dr Ike Chioke, the chairman of the Fund, in Enugu recently, during a town hall meeting to brief residents and stakeholders on its activities, achievements, and funding needs.

He explained that the target was necessary to sustain a community-based security structure across the  260 political wards in the state, noting that effective security requires not only equipment but also sufficient personnel on the ground.

According to Chioke, the plan is to deploy at least 20 security personnel in each ward, whose responsibility would be to monitor communities, detect unusual activities, and promptly relay intelligence to security agencies.

“We need to raise at least N5 billion every year for the fund to function efficiently. If you consider the 260 wards in the state and deploy about 20 security personnel in each ward, paying each of them monthly, the financial implication becomes clear,” he said.

Dr. Chioke stressed that security requires “boots on the ground”, describing community-based intelligence gathering as a critical component of effective crime prevention.

He explained that the Fund operates as a public-private partnership, where government provides support while citizens, corporate organisations, and other stakeholders contribute resources to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

The chairman, however, expressed concern that several donors who made public pledges during the 2025 fundraising drive had yet to redeem their commitments.

“During the fundraising, about N3 billion was pledged, but only around N1.3 billion has been redeemed so far. Some people announced donations of up to N100 million but have not paid a kobo,” he noted.

Chioke therefore appealed to residents, businesses, and members of the diaspora to support the initiative, stressing that collective contributions from many citizens can significantly strengthen security across the state.

He recalled that the Fund, inaugurated by Governor Peter Mbah in February 2024, had since established a functional operational framework, including a dedicated website and payment portal to facilitate contributions from individuals and organisations.

According to him, funds realised so far have been deployed to procure security equipment to enhance operations across the state.

The items include two surveillance drones equipped with infrared cameras, 10 Hilux patrol vehicles, 40 motorcycles for forest guards, and 400 bulletproof vests and helmets.

He added that the equipment had significantly strengthened ongoing efforts to tackle security threats such as kidnapping and farmer-herder conflicts, noting that statistics indicate that incidents of kidnapping and related crimes in Enugu State have dropped by over 80 percent since the current administration came into office.

Representing Governor Peter Mbah at the event, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the secretary to the State Government, commended the board of the Trust Fund for creating a platform that enables citizens to actively participate in strengthening security in the state.

Prof. Onyia said the establishment of the ESSTF forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to build a sustainable security architecture anchored on transparency, accountability, and collaboration between government and citizens.

He noted that the improved security environment in the state had helped stimulate economic activities, contributing to the significant growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in recent years.

Also speaking, Vincent Onyeabor, the senior special assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, said the government continues to address security concerns across different parts of the state, noting that criminal elements often move across state borders to perpetrate crimes.

In his remarks, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, the chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, called for greater public visibility of suspects arrested through the deployment of surveillance drones and other security operations in order to strengthen public confidence.

He also urged that traditional rulers be involved in the recruitment of forest guards, stressing that community participation remains essential in sustaining security across the state.

The donations were made both physically and online during the fundraising dinner organised by the State Trust Fund at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu.

More than N3 billion was realized from individuals and corporate bodies.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ike Chioke, the chairman, board of Trustees of the Fund and group managing director of Afrinvest West Africa Ltd., while commending the Dr. Peter Mbah administration for the huge impact and investments made in the area of security, including the constitution and inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Enugu State Security Trust Fund a year ago, stressed that security was everybody’s business.

He said the only way to achieve the $30 billion GDP mark set by the governor was by sustaining and consolidating the successes made in securing lives and property through contributions by citizens, corporate bodies and all levels of government.

“So, our target is N20 billion. Our population as a state is well over 5 million people. We think that 2 million working adults in the state, assuming each person contributing N1,000 every month, that is N2 billion a month already. If you get N2 billion naira a month for 12 months, it means that the citizens alone can raise N24 billion. That is for individuals alone before adding the government. That tells you our capacity,” he asserted.

Governor Mbah, on his path, recalled the grave security situation at the time his administration came on board, noting that there was no room for complacency despite the massive successes.

“Back then, criminals gleefully posted bodies of security personnel and the arms they had stolen through their brazenly regular attacks.

“But what difference 20 months make! Such wanton attacks have been pushed to the darkest recess of history. We have gained control of our streets. The outlaws who once held our people hostage have either been neutralized or fled.

“The pleasant experience arising from the vastly improved security is widespread: The businessman who could not open his shop and incurred losses as a result has found the confidence to do so; the child, who could not go to school every Monday in the past can now confidently do so without any fear; our security men and women can now carry on their law-enforcement duties without any brazen attack.

“But our job is not done yet; it needs to be sustained,” he said.

Highlighting the massive investments of his administration in security, Mbah said there was much more to be done through concerted effort.

“We have invested substantially in securing our state, and continue to do so, because there are no half measures in the fight against insecurity.

“The Enugu State Command and Control Centre is a logistical novelty built via cutting-edge innovation comparable to what exists in more advanced countries.

“It was a moment of pride for us when it was commissioned in January to national acclaim, by the President.

“Even when no security official is in sight, our round-the-clock surveillance system that covers our streets and neighbourhoods still ensures strict vigilance. The ultimate goal is to nip crime in the bud.

“This crime-fighting device is complemented by the Distress Response Squad, designed to react swiftly to any security breach or threat of it.

“It is also further boosted by a large fleet of 150 security vehicles embedded with AI-enhanced cameras deployed across the state.

“But enthroning a water-tight security, such as we are implementing in Enugu State, requires a humongous amount of funds to sustain,” Mbah explained.

Critical stakeholders at the event, including the business mogul and philanthropist, Prince  Arthur Ezeh, commended Mbah for his strides in security and infrastructural development.

“Enugu is the capital of Igboland. The governor has character like Mbakwe, like M.I Okpara, who I knew from childhood. This man – Governor Mbah – in less than one year transformed Enugu State. And because of what he has done in Enugu State, I became very happy as an Igboman and happy that we have people who are very intelligent,” Prince Ezeh said.