The Enugu State Government said it will enact an anti-kidnapping law as part of efforts to curb the growing insecurity in the state.
The state has also resolved to employ about 1,700 forest guards with each of the 17 local government areas having 100 forest guards, within the next 30 days.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, who disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Monday, said the instrument for the law would be sent as an executive bill to the state legislature.
According to him, the decision to have such a law in the state was reached after a thorough review of recent security breaches in the state.
The governor had met with all the neighborhood watch groups in the state on Monday.
The SSG further disclosed that the government has resolved to overhaul the Vigilance Group structure in the state for greater efficiency.
The process, he explained would lead to the review of the Enugu State Neigbourhood Watch Law 2016.
With regards to the forest guards, he said those interested should submit their applications to the office of the Security Chief of the Department of State Services, DSS, in their respective councils.
He also revealed that the state government has approved the payment of a monthly stipend of N5,200 to members of the vigilance group.
Ortuanya reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring peace and security of lives and property of residents of the state.