Akwa Ibom State Government has secured approval from the Nigeria Police Force headquarters to establish a Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) base in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area as part of measures to strengthen preparedness against emerging security threats.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Maj.-Gen. Koko Essien (retd.), disclosed this at the weekend during a ministerial press briefing in Uyo, explaining that the initiative was designed to improve the state’s capacity to prevent and respond to terrorism and other violent crimes.
Essien said the decision reflected the need to prepare for evolving security challenges, noting that the spread of violent incidents to parts of southern Nigeria made it necessary for Akwa Ibom to strengthen its security infrastructure before threats escalated.
“Some people ask, if there is no terrorism in Akwa Ibom, why CTU? There is something in security we call emerging threats,” he said.
He explained that the specialised police unit would enhance the state’s response to potential terrorist activities, armed attacks, hostage situations and threats to critical infrastructure.
Beyond the proposed CTU base, the commissioner said the state government had supplied 17 patrol vehicles fitted with modern communication equipment and 14 gunboats to strengthen land and maritime security operations.
He said the investments were particularly important given Akwa Ibom’s 129-kilometre coastline and the presence of oil and gas facilities around its waterways, which require sustained surveillance and coordinated security operations.
According to him, joint operations involving the Nigerian Navy, Army, police and other security agencies had helped tackle criminal activities, including oil theft, sea robbery and kidnapping.
The government is also expanding community-based intelligence gathering through the Ibom Community Watch initiative, launched on December 14, 2023, to support surveillance, traffic management, the protection of public assets and early detection of security threats.
Essien said Governor Umo Eno had approved the involvement of village youth presidents from the state’s 2,272 villages in the community security framework to improve intelligence sharing between local communities and relevant government agencies.
Under the arrangement, the youth leaders are expected to provide timely information on suspicious activities and potential threats within their communities, complementing the work of formal security agencies.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state’s Centralised Security and Emergency Response Centre was nearing commissioning, with the facility expected to serve as a digital command hub for coordinating security operations, real-time surveillance and intelligence sharing.
He said the centre would also support emergency services, including fire and ambulance operations, while improving coordination among agencies responsible for security across the state’s land and waterways.
On efforts to strengthen military presence, Essien said construction had commenced on a new Army battalion in Urueffong/Oruko, while plans were underway to establish a Nigerian Navy base at Stubbs Creek to improve security around Ibeno and the state’s oil and gas assets.
He added that the Nigerian Air Force had established a 309 Composite Group in Eket following the Federal Government’s acquisition of a former industrial facility for the base, while the state government had provided land for accommodation and other supporting facilities.
To sustain funding for security operations, the commissioner said the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, launched by Governor Eno on September 16, 2025, was established as a public-private partnership to mobilise additional resources.
He urged individuals and corporate organisations to contribute to the fund, stressing that sustained financial support was necessary to maintain security equipment, strengthen operational capacity and support the work of security agencies.
In a related development, Essien disclosed that the state government had acquired land at Nung Ukim in Ikono Local Government Area for the relocation of the Uyo Correctional Centre.
He said the project was awaiting approval from the Federal Ministry of Interior before the relocation process could proceed.
The commissioner said the various initiatives formed part of the state government’s broader strategy to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen security presence on land and waterways, protect critical infrastructure and respond more effectively to emerging threats.
He added that the government would continue to collaborate with federal security agencies to sustain peace and protect lives and property across Akwa Ibom State.
