By Patrick Titus, Uyo
As part of the activities marking the 2026 National Police Week, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Azare on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026 led officers and men of the Command on a walkathon for peace, visibility and public safety in Uyo the state capital.
It would be recalled that the command had, on the commencement of the Week’s activities on Monday, carried out a statewide sanitation exercise and medical outreach programme designed to promote public health and reinforce community partnership across the state.
The sanitation exercise was carried out across the Command, where officers and men actively participated in cleaning markets, roads and other public places. The initiative highlights the Command’s commitment to community service and its resolve to contribute to a cleaner and safer environment.
Day two of the programme witnessed a walkathon exercise with the State Command Headquarters as the starting point and terminating at Ibom Plaza.
The walkathon was participated by officers and men of the Command, as well as members of sister security agencies – Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other stakeholders.
Also as participants were corporate organisations and groups such as Ibom Air, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Civil Society Organisations which include the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Ibom content creators, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), among others.
Speaking during the event, CP Mohammed Azare said that the exercise was designed to reaffirm the visible presence of the Police within communities and to assure residents that the Police are accessible, responsive and actively engaged in ensuring public safety.
It also demonstrated the physical readiness and fitness of personnel of the Command in the discharge of their responsibility and purpose in the state.
“This walkathon exercise underscores the Command’s commitment to community-oriented policing and aligns with the theme of this year’s celebration – “Community Partnership: Building Trust.”
He said that “it shows also that Police are within reach of everything citizen and resident of this state at all times. It’s also to encourage residents to support and partner with the Command in the collective effort to maintain peace and security,” CP Azare assured.
He appreciated sister security agencies and various stakeholders for participating in the walkathon, noting that their presence has reiterated the unity and community partnership demonstrated by the Command.
CP Azare urged members of the public to bring forward their complaints and concerns, assuring that the Police are willing, capable, and ready to address such issues professionally and promptly.
Commenting on the National Police Week, the Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong noted the event is historic and extends felicitation to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and CP Mohammed Azare on the occasion which ends on April 7, 2026.
CHRAN noted with commendation, the community policing approach adopted by CP Azare, which has culminated into achieving a high rate of crime reduction in Akwa Ibom state.
“The Center will continue to partner the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Akwa Ibom State Command and other security agencies, with a view to ensuring that the state is safe and secure for all Nigerians,” the CHRAN Director added.
