By Patrick Titus, Uyo
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways in Akwa Ibom State, Brigadier-General Koko Essien (retired) has said that the state is ready for own security outfit canvassed as State Police but waiting for legal backing to start its operations.
General Essien, who disclosed this last Friday during an inter-ministerial press briefing in Uyo, added that once the law enabling the establishment of the State Police is in place, Akwa Ibom will begin recruitment of operatives and officers in line with established guidelines.
Essien, however, dismissed as unfounded and untrue, the rumours making the rounds in the state that the recent verification of Village Youth Presidents in 2273 gazetted villages in the state was a process to enlist them into the State Police.
He explained that the recruitment process would be done strictly according to the guidelines to select only qualified persons, adding that being the village youth president will not guarantee automatic enlistment.
The Commissioner also disclosed the state government plans to establish a naval base at the disputed Stubb Creek in Ibeno local government area to tackle security breaches along the coastal communities in the state.
Essien also disclosed that government has established Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) in Nsit Ubium Local Government area to prepare for any emerging security challenges in the state.
“Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) is a specialized branch of the Nigeria Police created to combat terrorism, armed insurgency, and violent crime across the country, including prevention of terrorist plots, protection of critical infrastructures, handling of hostage situations.
“In recognition of the emerging threats across the country as it relates to these vices, the Administration sought an approval from Force headquarters to establish a CTU Base in the State. Construction of the Base is ongoing.”
According to the Commissioner, Ibom Community Watch, informal integration of 2273 Village Youth Presidents and expansion of existing security apparatus are structure, meant to support intelligence, early warning, and protection of critical public assets within the communities, understanding that they manage the youth of their communities, and have visibility on arrivals and departures within their communities
“I will like to reiterate that the Village Youth Presidents as a structure that remains under the Ministry of Youth Development, but through an inter-ministerial arrangement, will provide security services in line with this mandate, as coordinated by the Ministry of Internal Security.
The core mandates of Ibom Commumity Watch are to provide grassroots/community surveillance, share actionable intelligence with law enforcement agencies, support with crowd control, traffic management and protection of government/public assets.
“To boost maritime security, His Excellency purchased 14 No. patrol boats for the Joint Maritime Taskforce. This has helped to cover gaps that the Navy, Army and Police gunboats do not cover, especially within shallow waters
“Within the waterways, the Ministry has continued to coordinate operations to protect critical oil and gas assets, thus improving on the revenue base of the State.
“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,” General Essien said.
