– Emmanuel Nicholas
Similar to numerous advanced nations worldwide, Akwa Ibom State prioritizes homeland security and For the first time, a Nigerian state government has set up a dedicated ministry focused on internal security and waterways.
Governor Umo Eno recognizes the importance of a stable society for fostering business growth and attracting foreign investments.
And he is a leader who does not take the safety of the people under his watch for granted, and will do everything to ensure the residents of Akwa Ibom State are protected and their properties are also safe.
To reinforce community safety, Governor Umo Eno believes it is essential to establish a community security organization that will act as a whistleblower for affiliated security agencies, such as the Nigerian police, Army, and Navy.
The Ibom Security Watch was established to also strengthen securing Akwa Ibom’s internal security and waterways, which have been compromised by sea pirates, kidnappers, and militancy.
While Akwa Ibom State is evaluated by many professional bodies as the most peaceful in Nigeria, with a crime rate of just 0.5, Governor Umo Eno still believes that the state should be entirely free of any criminal activities.
This is why he has founded the Ibom Community watch to help the mainstream security agencies in fighting crime
The concept is involving residents in community surveillance, similar to the approach used in Ancient Greece. Locals are familiar with the intricacies of the terrain and can assist the Navy and water police with security information.
The Governor inaugurated the Ibom Community Watch on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Uyo Township Stadium.
During the event, Governor Umo Eno emphasized his administration’s commitment to building on the achievements of previous administrations in promoting peace and security.
He mentioned that the primary goal of the initiative is to enhance security at the grassroots level, provide intelligence to mainstream security services, and safeguard government amenities from vandalism.
Pastor Umo Eno expressed confidence that the Ibom Community Watch programme will not only ensure safety in rural areas and preserve public facilities from mischief .
While it will also create employment for approximately five thousand youths and stimulate the economy by generating business opportunities for entrepreneurs.
To support entrepreneurs in the fashion sub-sector, the Governor mandated that uniforms for officers, caps and shoes be produced locally..
This initiative aims to boost the local economy and increase tax revenue for the State treasury.
To enhance their mobility in providing intelligence to the mainstream security outfits,
the governor assured that buses, motorcycles, and communication gadgets have been provided to the group on local government basis to help them navigate rural areas and ensure ease and timeliness in information sharing.
At the inauguration, only officers from the Uyo local government were trained and inaugurated by the Governor.
But this initiative aims to employ one youth from each unit in Akwa Ibom State, resulting in a total of 5,000 youth to be employed.
550 personnel kick-start the outfit and the Governor affirmed that the next batch of training and recruitment will be targeted at creating a team of locals from the riverine areas to help in marine security, stressing that 30% of the entire 5,000 personnel target for the Ibom Community Watch should be women.
To honour this commitment, the Ministry of Internal Security in Akwa Ibom State will begin training additional personnel, with a plan to train one hundred individuals from each concerned local government area.
This process will occur in batches until a total of five thousand personnel are recruited for the organization.
The intake will be trained by professionals in the police force, Military , Navy and Air Force at least for three months or more.
The training for these policing officers in community engagement aims to equip them with the essential skills and knowledge to foster positive relationships with the communities they serve and secure.
Moreso, the programe will teach them how to identify crimes, relay information to mainstream security, and apprehend suspects without using weapons, ensuring they can hand offenders over to the appropriate security agencies.
The curriculum will also cover cultural competency, conflict resolution, communication strategies, and an understanding of community dynamics.
It will enhance their knowledge of community policing, which focuses on collaboration between law enforcement and community members to tackle public safety concerns, build trust, and improve quality of life.
Lastly, Governor Umo Eno recognizes that the strength of community policing lies in its ability to reduce crime, boost the state’s economy, and create job opportunities for the youth.
Therefore he has involved the community in decision-making processes and promote transparency in the hiring of personnel for the Ibom Community Watch.
These positions will be filled based on merit and recommendations from community leaders, rather than political partisanship.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State prioritizes the security of lives and property within the state’s borders above all else.
