The Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways in Akwa Ibom State says the state’s waterways, inner-city, and community security have significantly improved under the Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda blueprint.
The Commissioner of the ministry, Gen. Koko Essien (Rtd.), stated this on Friday while highlighting the achievements of his ministry during the government’s ministerial media briefing held at the Government House in Uyo.
Essien noted that Akwa Ibom faces unique security challenges due to its status as home to Nigeria’s longest coastline of 129 km and nearly 95% of its critical oil and gas infrastructure located in its waterways.
However, he stated that the ministry has continued to coordinate operations within the waterways to protect critical oil and gas assets, thereby improving the state’s revenue base.
“The operations within the waterways have also reduced drastically, incidents of oil theft, sea robbery, and kidnapping thus improving the overall blue economy of the State in the areas of water transportation, trading and fisheries”, he said.
According to the Commissioner, the introduction of the Ibom Community Watch in 2023 and the recent integration of Village Youth Presidents into the informal security network have enhanced grassroots surveillance and early warning capabilities in communities statewide.
He mentioned that urban safety in Uyo and other cities has improved substantially, with significant reductions in cultism within the society and public schools, as well as in armed robbery, kidnapping, communal clashes, and cross-border criminality along the state’s common boundaries.
On the infrastructure front, Gen. Essien noted that the state is progressing toward the near completion of a state-of-the-art Command and Control Center to coordinate real-time security responses across land and waterways.
Additionally, he stated that the establishment of a Counter-Terrorism Unit base and the relocation of the overcrowded Uyo Correctional Center signify the administration’s commitment to modernizing security facilities.
Complementing these efforts, the Commissioner said the government has equipped security agencies with new patrol vehicles and 14 patrol boats for the Joint Maritime Task Force, expanding their capacity to secure the vast maritime domain.
He added that the reactivated military presence, including Nigerian Army battalions in Urue-Offong/Oruko LGA, a Navy outpost in Stubbs Creek, and a Nigerian Air Force Composite Base in Eket, further fortifies the state’s defense posture.
Essien stated that Governor Eno’s creation of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund has galvanised public-private partnerships to sustainably finance security operations, ensuring ongoing vigilance.
He commended the Governor’s visionary leadership, noting that the resulting peace has led to enhanced economic prosperity and social welfare for Akwa Ibomites.
“The Ministry is grateful to His Excellency for the continued support to security management within the State, and promises to remain the pinnacle of public safety and security delivery, while ensuring that Akwa Ibomites enjoy greatly improved levels of security both on land and within the waterways,” he affirmed.
