RismadarVoice Reporters, July 24, 2026
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has dedicated the honours conferred on the Nigeria Police Force, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and himself at the 19th Security Watch Africa Conference and Awards to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Governor Umo Eno and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
The continental security conference and awards ceremony was held on July 23 in Banjul, The Gambia, bringing together security chiefs, policymakers, diplomats and law enforcement experts from across Africa.
Azare said the recognitions reflected the visionary leadership, support, professionalism and sacrifices of police personnel in advancing public safety and internal security.
The Commissioner of Police who represented the Inspector-General of Police at the event, presented a paper titled “Engaging Global Best Practices in Policing Internal Security: The Nigeria Police Force Example,” where he highlighted ongoing reforms within the Force, including intelligence-led policing, technological innovation, inter-agency collaboration, capacity building and community policing initiatives.
During the awards ceremony, the Nigeria Police Force received the Most Outstanding National Police in Africa (2025) award in recognition of its contributions to policing, operational effectiveness and security management across the continent.
CP Azare also received the Best Commissioner of Police in Crime Busting in West and Central Africa award, while the Akwa Ibom State Police Command was named the Most Proactive State Police Command in Nigeria (2025) for its performance in crime prevention, intelligence-driven operations and community policing.
Reacting to the honours, Azare described the awards as a collective achievement and attributed them to the reforms introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, which he said had strengthened professionalism and operational efficiency within the Force.
He also commended Governor Umo Eno for his support for security agencies and investment in security infrastructure, noting that the collaboration between the state government and security stakeholders had enhanced the command’s ability to protect lives and property.
The commissioner further dedicated the awards to officers and men of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force, describing the recognitions as a tribute to their courage, resilience and dedication in the line of duty.
Azare thanked the organisers of the Security Watch Africa Conference and Awards for recognising the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force and the Akwa Ibom Command, adding that the honours would motivate the command to sustain professionalism, innovation and excellence in policing.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, community engagement and collaboration with other security agencies while assuring residents of Akwa Ibom State of the police’s resolve to continue protecting lives and maintaining public peace.
