Israel Umoh
Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner, Baba Mohammed Azare, wants the citizens in the state to take charge of security by exposing criminal elements.
Addressing a high-level Stakeholders’ Security Meeting at the Police Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia in Uyo Local Government Area on Monday, Azare emphasized the need for communities to take ownership of security.
He said they could do this by exposing criminal elements, including those involved in armed robbery, cultism, vandalism, drug peddling, and other unlawful activities, noting that ‘‘No community can be truly safe if some residents shield or protect criminals.’’
Reviewing the security situation in the state and strengthening collaborative efforts to maintain peace and stability across the communities, he warned the people against spreading fake news to avoid injecting fear among the people.
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Presiding over the meeting attended by representatives of traditional rulers, religious leaders, market and transport unions, student union, Nigeria Labour Congress, community representatives, and members of the press, the Commissioner of Police reaffirmed that Akwa Ibom State remains peaceful and secure, noting that the Command working closely with sister security agencies continues to maintain robust patrols, effective surveillance, and intelligence-driven operations throughout the State.
On the recent spread of fake news in the state, he expressed concern over it and unverified security alerts on social media, which have the potential to cause panic and undermine public confidence.
Azare categorically stated that such messages are false, misleading, and must be disregarded. He urged the public to rely solely on verified information from credible security sources.
The Commissioner, therefore, called on traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, market associations, and civil society organizations to continue working closely with the Police and other agencies to sustain the peaceful environment the state enjoys.
The Command assures the public that it would continue to work tirelessly to protect lives and property and maintain law and order in every part of the state.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station or any other security agency.
In their separate responses, some critical stakeholders such as the Christian Association of Nigeria Chairman Bishop Chris Nyong; the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, Edidem Sylvanus Oko; the Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), Otuekong Franklyn Isong and the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Sunny James, appreciated the Commissioner and the Command for all their relentless efforts in instilling peace and safety in the state.
They made key interventions, observations, and commitment aimed at strengthening security collaboration across the State.
The stakeholders unanimously pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Police Command, improve information sharing and support all initiatives aimed at sustaining peace and security in Akwa Ibom State.
Specifically, Bishop Nyong complained of the activities of some people styled: Iron Condemned for their unlawful dealings in stealing the property of innocent persons in the society.
Nyong recalled how the criminals elements burgled his house on a Sunday after everybody had gone to Church and made away with his submersible pump and Plasma television, calling on the police to monitor, investigate and arrest for trial the criminal elements.
.Edidem Okon commended the Police Commissioner for always sending police patrol to his area in Udo Ekpo Mkpo Street and its environs to scare away criminal elements.
Otuekong Isong thanked the Commissioner for his proactiveness in attending to messages and pictures on security infractions sent to him.
He called on him to join in enforcing the law that bans open grazing by checkmating the lingering herder-farmers’ crisis in the state.
Comrade James extended workers’ thanks to the Commissioner for securing their property and allowing to sleep with their eyes closed, calling on the police to be vigilant to guard against the rising insecurity challenges in other parts of the country from permeating into the state.
