By RismadarVoice Media
December 22, 2025
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Monday reviewed its security operations for 2025 and outlined strategic priorities for 2026, assuring residents of sustained peace and improved policing across the state.
Speaking at an end-of-year press briefing in Uyo, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, said the state remained generally peaceful and stable throughout the year, attributing the situation to intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, strategic deployments, community cooperation, and effective collaboration with other security agencies.
The police boss disclosed that the Command recorded major operational successes in 2025, including the arrest of 563 suspects for offences ranging from armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping to other violent crimes.
He said the suspects were charged to court, leading to 33 convictions within the year.
According to Azare, the Command recovered 179 assorted firearms, 323 rounds of different ammunition, including 100 live cartridges, as well as 14 stolen vehicles, all of which have been returned to their owners.
He added that police operatives also rescued 10 kidnapped victims and 74 victims of human trafficking, who were reunited with their families, while criminal hideouts and identified black spots across the state were dismantled.
The Commissioner said the police ensured adequate security for political, social, religious and economic activities across Akwa Ibom, while strictly enforcing laws and government directives aimed at maintaining public order.
On public safety, Azare reiterated the Command’s opposition to jungle justice, unlawful gatherings and acts capable of breaching public peace.
He confirmed compliance with the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Executive Order regulating masquerade activities, which restricts public displays to approved locations with mandatory police permission and security coverage, noting that the measure significantly reduced violence and disorder.
The Commissioner also raised concern over the increasing spread of fake news, particularly on social media, revealing that arrests were made in connection with the fabrication and circulation of false information capable of causing panic.
He warned that those involved in such acts would continue to face prosecution.
He stressed that community policing remained central to the Command’s operations, citing sustained engagement with traditional rulers, youth and women groups, religious leaders, market associations, transport unions and other stakeholders across the state.
Outlining the Command’s focus for 2026, Azare said priorities would include strengthening intelligence-led policing, sustaining the crackdown on violent crimes, deepening community policing, combating cybercrime and misinformation, improving professionalism and respect for human rights, enhancing deployment strategies, and strengthening collaboration with sister security agencies.
He assured residents that adequate security arrangements have been put in place for the festive season and beyond, with intensified patrols, stop-and-search operations and strategic deployments across all local government areas.
The Commissioner thanked the Inspector-General of Police, the Akwa Ibom State Government, sister security agencies, officers and men of the Command, and residents of the state for their support and cooperation, reaffirming the police’s commitment to the protection of lives and property in 2026.
