Akwa Ibom Enlists 2,277 Youth Leaders in New Community Security Initiative
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has unveiled a new grassroots security initiative that incorporates 2,277 village youth presidents into the state's security framework as part of efforts to enhance intelligence gathering and strengthen community safety. The governor announced the initiative during a town hall meeting with village youth leaders in Uyo, where he emphasized the need to deepen security collaboration at the community level. According to Eno, the move is aimed at improving information sharing between local communities and security agencies while expanding the state's capacity to respond to emerging security challenges. He explained that the village youth presidents, who reside within their respective communities, would serve as vital links between residents and security agencies by providing timely intelligence and supporting neighborhood watch activities. The governor disclosed that the youth leaders would undergo profiling and specialized training before being formally integrated into the state's security structure. He clarified that the new responsibility would not alter the existing traditional leadership hierarchy within communities, stressing that the youth presidents would continue to operate within established local governance structures. To ensure effective coordination, Eno directed local government chairmen across the state to appoint supervisors responsible for security matters in their respective councils. These officials are expected to work closely with the youth leaders and security agencies.
The governor further revealed that the initiative would operate under the supervision of the Ibom Community Watch, a state-backed security outfit designed to support conventional law enforcement efforts. As part of measures to enhance operational efficiency, Eno also directed the expansion of the police Quick Response Squad to cover all 10 federal constituencies in the state. He additionally donated 10 new Hilux vehicles to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to strengthen security patrols and emergency response capabilities. Security stakeholders who attended the event commended the initiative, describing community participation and intelligence sharing as critical elements in modern security management. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, praised the government’s commitment to security and noted that effective policing depends heavily on cooperation between security agencies and local communities. Youth representatives also welcomed the initiative, expressing appreciation to the governor for giving young people a direct role in governance and community development. Observers say the programme represents one of the state's most significant attempts to institutionalise grassroots participation in security management, with the goal of improving public safety and promoting peaceful coexistence across Akwa Ibom.
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