How Eno is making Akwa Ibom Nigeria’s most secure State

By Emmanuel Nicholas

When history is written about Akwa Ibom’s transformation in this decade, one chapter will stand out: the restoration of peace. Under the leadership of Governor Pastor Umo Eno, the state has moved from years of fear to an era of confidence, and that shift began with security.

In the past, Akwa Ibom battled a troubling mix of insecurity. There was rampant kidnapping, murder, fraudulent syndicates, sea piracy and theft, and pockets of armed robbery and burglary across the 31 local government areas. For investors, visitors, and citizens, the atmosphere was tense. Development could not thrive where safety was uncertain.

That narrative changed the moment Governor Umo Eno assumed office. His approach was clear: peace is not an accident. It is built, funded, and sustained. Security became the first pillar of his ARISE Agenda, because without safety, agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, and education cannot flourish.

Central to this vision was the creation of a dedicated focus on security, including a Ministry responsible for Security, Internal Affairs and Waterways. For the first time, security was given full bureaucratic weight, coordination, and budget attention. It signaled that the government would no longer react to crime; it would prevent it.

The first major step under this new direction came in 2023, when Governor Umo Eno launched Ibom Community Watch at the Uyo Township Stadium, a neighbourhood security outfit designed to enhance security in rural communities and strengthen community policing in collaboration with regular security agencies.

He stated that the core vision of the outfit is to provide grassroots security, supply intelligence to mainstream services, and protect government facilities from vandalism, with members working under the strict supervision of the Police to provide security information, assist in crowd control, and ensure peace in their areas.

The Governor expressed optimism that, beyond securing communities and public assets, the programme would create employment for about 5,000 youths and stimulate the local economy by ensuring all uniforms and boots are produced by Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs.

With an initial 550 personnel already trained with support from regular security agencies, the Governor set a target of 30% women in the full 5,000-member team and a special batch for riverine marine security. At the same event, he explained the newly signed Security Trust Fund law, stressing that security funding would require contributions from both government and the private sector through a board chaired by a private citizen to ensure the funds are used solely for the security needs of the state.

What makes Ibom Community Watch different is its DNA. It is not an imported model. It is the Akwa Ibom people securing Akwa Ibom communities. They know the terrain, the people, and the early warning signs. That local knowledge has become the state’s first line of defense.

To deepen that grassroots reach, Governor Eno integrated 2,272 Village Youth Presidents directly into the security framework. These are the leaders in every village. Through bringing them into intelligence gathering and surveillance, the government turned every community into a watchtower. Information now moves faster, and threats are nipped in the bud.

The Governor also gave a direct charge to all Local Government Chairmen: appoint supervisors dedicated solely to security matters. This ensured that security is not treated as an afterthought at the council level. Every LGA now has a named officer accountable for peace in their domain.

But personnel without tools cannot succeed. That is why Governor Eno launched the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund (AKSTF). The fund pools resources from the government and the private sector to ensure security operations are sustained, not dependent on yearly budget cycles. It is peace financed by partnership.

The logistics support has been unprecedented. On May 2, 2024, the Governor donated 20 state-of-the-art communication-fitted Toyota Hilux trucks to security agencies at Government House, Uyo. These were not ordinary vehicles; they came fitted for rapid response and inter-agency communication.

The support did not stop there. On May 23, 2025, 5 additional brand-new patrol vehicles were handed over specifically to the State Police Command. Then, in June 2026, approval was given for 10 more Hilux patrol vehicles to deepen surveillance across all 31 LGAs. The message is consistent: equip our officers, and they will deliver.

Governor Eno also understood that crime in Akwa Ibom was not only on land. Our coastline and waterways are economic assets, but they were once vulnerable to sea pirates and illegal bunkering. His response was bold and historic.

At the NNS Jubilee base in Ikot Abasi, the Governor procured and donated 14 patrol gunboats to the Nigerian Navy. The handover was done by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. These gunboats now patrol our waters daily, protecting fishermen, oil assets, and trade routes.

That waterway initiative directly supports the ARISE Agenda’s maritime economy goals. With pirates pushed back, fishing, shipping, and tourism along our Atlantic coast can grow. Foreign vessels and investors now see Akwa Ibom waters as secure for business.

On land, infrastructure for security agencies also received attention. The Governor commissioned 1.4 kilometers of internal roads at the Nigerian Police Force State Command headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo. Better roads mean faster deployment, better morale, and a more professional working environment.

To coordinate all of this, a Tactical Command Control Centre is being set up. The goal is seamless communication and intelligence sharing among the Police, Navy, Army, DSS, and Ibom Community Watch. When information flows in real time, response time drops, and crime has nowhere to hide.

Governor Eno is also building a high-tech State Command and Control Centre at Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo. This centralized facility is designed to digitally manage security across Akwa Ibom State. It will enhance real-time surveillance through CCTV and drone feeds, improve intelligence gathering, and allow all security services to work together smoothly from one hub. With this centre, the state is moving from reactive policing to predictive, technology-driven security management.

Beyond equipment and structures, the Governor prioritized expertise in leadership. He hired core professionals in the management of security to guide policy and operations. One of them is General Koko Essien, Rtd., a retired Army personnel and a very proactive officer whose wealth of military experience now shapes the state’s security architecture. His presence brings discipline, strategy, and tactical depth to the way threats are assessed and neutralized.

To manage grassroots security and community relations, the Governor appointed Rt Hon . Kenneth Okon, a youth activist with deep involvement in youth management and security control activities across the state. Having worked closely with communities, Mr. Okon understands the local security problems of Akwa Ibom and serves as the bridge between the government, youths, and villages.

His appointment ensures that intelligence from the grassroots gets to the right quarters quickly and that young people are part of the solution, not the problem.

Strict guidelines accompany every donation. Governor Eno cautioned that all vehicles and gunboats must remain within Akwa Ibom for designated operations only. This ensures accountability and prevents the misuse of state assets.

Beyond logistics and strategy, the Governor recognizes that security ultimately rests in God’s hands. That is why every year, Governor Umo Eno hands over the entire state to God through a three-day prayer and fasting event. He leads citizens, government officials, and religious leaders to seek divine covering over Akwa Ibom.

The conviction is simple: no human arrangement, no gunboat, and no patrol vehicle can secure a land if God does not secure it. This spiritual foundation has become a cornerstone of peace in the state.

The result of all these initiatives is measurable: the crime rate has dropped dramatically. Kidnapping, cult clashes, and armed robbery that once made headlines have become rare. Citizens now sleep with less fear, travel at night with more confidence, and do business without paying “security levies” to criminals.

That culture of prayer and planning has also built trust. Investors, both local and foreign, now see Akwa Ibom as a place where the government is intentional about peace.

The combination of spiritual commitment, community involvement, and modern security infrastructure tells the world that Akwa Ibom is safe for business and for families.

And that peace has an economic dividend. Foreign investors watch one thing closely before putting money in any state: stability. Because Akwa Ibom now has a peaceful ambience, investors feel secure. New investments in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and the blue economy are rising precisely because the risk premium has dropped.

The ARISE Agenda’s promise of prosperity is being unlocked by security first.

Governor Umo Eno has shown that governance is about protecting lives before pursuing projects. Via combining community policing, youth engagement, professional leadership, modern logistics, waterway protection, technology, and divine guidance under ARISE, he has given Akwa Ibom something more valuable than oil: peace. For that reason, Akwa Ibom people must treasure this governance. In securing the state, he has secured our future.