By Patrick Titus, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Baba Mohammed Azare on Thursday chaired a strategic security meeting with Youth Youth Leaders drawn from the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.
CP Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening community policing, promoting youth–police cooperation, and sustaining the peace and stability currently enjoyed across the state.
He commended the youth leaders for their discipline, maturity, and unwavering support throughout the year. He noted that their responsible conduct, intelligence sharing, and timely interventions prevented several potential crises and contributed significantly to the Command’s operational successes in 2025.
The CP also appreciated the Paramount Rulers for their fatherly guidance and the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continuous support to the security infrastructure of the state.
He urged the youth leaders to continue to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, especially in engagements with investors, contractors, and development partners operating within their communities. He emphasized that peaceful dialogue promotes development and fosters trust, while confrontational approaches undermine progress and tarnish community reputation.
The Commissioner further informed the youth leaders about Government’s directive confining masquerade activities strictly to the village or town hall squares across the state.
He reminded them that in line with the law, any community wishing to hold masquerade activities must first seek formal permission from the Commissioner of Police, upon which the Police Command will provide adequate security to ensure peaceful and orderly conduct.
The CP cautioned that unauthorized masquerade outings will not be tolerated and urged the youth leaders to sensitize their communities accordingly.
The CP also issued a strong warning against jungle justice, describing the act as unlawful, barbaric, and capable of triggering widespread violence. He emphasized that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands and warned that anyone found participating in mob action will be arrested and prosecuted.
He urged youths to always hand over suspects to the Police for proper investigation and lawful prosecution.
On recent developments, the Commissioner announced that five suspects who fabricated and circulated a false kidnapping incident involving students of Oron Secondary School have been arrested and were charged to court this morning.
He described their actions as reckless and dangerous, capable of inciting panic and undermining public confidence. The CP assured the public that the Command will continue to take decisive action against anyone who spreads misinformation or attempts to destabilize the peace of the state.
The Police Command called on youth leaders to champion truth, promote responsible social media use, and counter false narratives capable of disrupting public order.
The CP further encouraged stronger collaboration with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure early detection of threats and swift resolution of emerging issues.
Responding, the youth leaders and community representatives unanimously appreciated the Commissioner of Police for his good leadership, maintaining peace/orderliness and tight security in the State.
They equally promised to cooperate and support the Police in all possible ways the youths can be of help to the security of the State.
Representative of the content creators promised to work with the Command in anything they do and also to desist from any crime and criminality or causing problem in any form in the name of content.
He equally promised the Commissioner of Police that he will help to bring out those bad ones hiding under them in Violating cybercrime Order, in the name of content creation.
Representatives of the youth leadership were Ulap Bright Afahakan from Eket Senatorial District, Chief Ubong Akpan representing Uyo Senatorial District and Comrade Udeme Inyang representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District while Mr. Ekanem Ekanem, President Ibom Content Creators Forum was also present.
The meeting afforded opportunity for a renewed pledge by the youth leaders and the Police Command to deepen cooperation, reinforce community values and work collectively to sustain the peace, unity and development of Akwa Ibom State.
