By Destiny Young | August 13, 2025
- Introduction
- 1. Establishment of a State-of-the-Art Command and Control Centre
- 2. Strengthened Partnerships with Security Agencies
- 3. Investment in Security Infrastructure and Equipment
- 4. Protection of Public Assets and Infrastructure
- 5. Security as a Driver of Economic and Social Stability
- 6. Recognition and Achievements
- Conclusion
Introduction
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to strengthening security as a foundation for economic growth and social stability. Under his ARISE Agenda, substantial investments have been made in security infrastructure, advanced technology, inter-agency collaboration, and asset protection, positioning the state as a model for effective security governance in Nigeria.
1. Establishment of a State-of-the-Art Command and Control Centre
One of the administration’s most notable projects is the construction of a centralised Command and Control Centre.
This facility integrates multiple communication and surveillance systems, enabling:
- Real-time information sharing
- Coordinated responses to security incidents
- Comprehensive monitoring of the state’s coastline and waterways
Equipped with advanced digital technology and linked to emergency ambulance services, the centre represents a move towards intelligence-driven policing and rapid crisis response.
2. Strengthened Partnerships with Security Agencies
Governor Eno has cultivated strong cooperative relationships with the Nigerian Air Force and other security bodies.
Partnership objectives include:
- Securing maritime routes and inland waterways
- Improving coordinated rapid response strategies
- Sharing intelligence to curb crime effectively
These alliances have reinforced the state’s reputation as a safe and stable environment for residents and investors. In further demonstration of these collaborations, Governor Eno’s administration delivered 14 gunboats to the Nigerian Navy and formalised a contract for the construction of 24-metre steel cruise ferries and new jetties, managed by Naval Shipyard Limited—a subsidiary of the Nigerian Navy. These measures have strengthened patrols and enabled the effective fight against maritime crimes such as piracy, kidnapping, and militancy across the coastal corridors of the state.
3. Investment in Security Infrastructure and Equipment
To bolster enforcement capability, the state government has undertaken significant interventions:
- Launched the Ibom Community Watch, with profiling and training of 550 operatives in Uyo L.G.A., creating a grassroots security presence across communities.
- Produced 550 pairs of boots for these community security operatives, ensuring operational readiness and morale.
- Procured 50 new INNOSON mini-buses to support patrols and rapid-response mobility, allowing for swift deployment across land and border communities.
- Acquired 14 patrol gunboats for maritime patrol and anti-smuggling operations, strengthening riverine and coastal security.
- Donated 15 operational Hilux vehicles to various security agencies to enhance their field effectiveness.
- Commissioned a multidimensional Maritime Hub at Oron, featuring Joint Taskforce Jetties, Cargo Jetties, Ferry Jetties, Floating Bay, cold rooms, car park, and other security-supporting infrastructure—with the dual aim of boosting business and keeping the waterways secure.
Additionally, the enactment of the Akwa Ibom Security Trust Fund Bill serves to ensure sustainable funding for the state’s multi-pronged security initiatives. These comprehensive investments have tangibly improved the surveillance, rapid deployment, and interdiction capacity of the state’s security apparatus, both on land and at sea.
4. Protection of Public Assets and Infrastructure
Recognising the need to safeguard government facilities, the administration established the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency (AKIAMMA).
In collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Security, AKIAMMA:
- Ensures the safety and value retention of state assets
- Implements preventive security measures for public infrastructure
- Oversees maintenance to avoid deterioration and misuse
5. Security as a Driver of Economic and Social Stability
Governor Eno’s security strategy is closely linked to his economic development vision. A peaceful environment:
- Attracts domestic and foreign investment
- Encourages tourism growth
- Supports youth empowerment programmes
- Fosters inclusive social and economic progress
Strategic investments such as the Maritime Hub, upgraded transport ferries, and safer coastal communities not only guarantee security for residents, businesses, and visitors but also spur economic activities and create jobs—demonstrating that safety is intrinsic to sustainable progress.
6. Recognition and Achievements
In recognition of his proactive leadership in security matters, Governor Umo Eno received the award for Nigeria’s Most Consistent Security Agencies Supporting Governor (2024). This accolade affirms his administration’s dedication to sustaining peace and protecting lives and property.
Conclusion
Through strategic investments, cutting-edge technology, robust inter-agency collaboration, and strong governance frameworks, Governor Umo Eno has strengthened the security architecture of Akwa Ibom State. The targeted interventions—from community security watch initiatives and state-of-the-art command centres, to the procurement of patrol vehicles, gunboats, and the establishment of vital maritime infrastructure—reflect the Governor’s belief that security is the bedrock of sustainable development. As a result, Akwa Ibom remains safe, economically vibrant, and investor-friendly, setting a benchmark in security and good governance for the nation.
