Monday May 26, 2025|
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, AKHA, has urged Governor Umo Eno to extend the operations of Ibom community watch, a security outfit, to all parts of the state.
This it said should be done by recruiting more than 1000 youth into the scheme to cover all the senatorial districts of the state, instead of just the Uyo senatorial district.
Additionally, the House has also urged Eno to provide necessary training, subject them to security checks and provide security gadgets to members of the Ibom Community Watch to enable them effectively discharge their duties.
The assembly took the resolution at its plenary session following unanimous vote adoption of a motion moved by Sunday Johnny, House leader and member representing Onna State Constituency, on “Implementation of youth recruitment into the Ibom Community Watch for Eket, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts”.
According to the motion, implementing the Ibom Community Watch for Eket, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts will significantly enhance security management, create employment opportunities for the youth, and promote community development and community policing in these areas.
Throwing his weight behind the motion, Moses Essien, member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, stated that it is the constitutional obligation of the government to protect the lives and property of its citizens as enshrined in Section 14 (2) (b) of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The chief whip and member representing Mbo, Effiong Johnson, the deputy leader of the House and member representing Nsit Ibom , Otobong Bob, Mfon Idung (Etim Ekpo/Ika), Precious Selong (Urueoffong Oruko) and member representing Uyo, Uwemedimo Asuquo in their separate contributions in support of the motion, stated that the state security outfit, when fully implemented, would reinforce the urgency of the situation, supporting the call for the inclusion of more youth in the community watch .
It could be recalled that Governor Eno in December 2023, commissioned 550 personnel into Ibom Community Watch for Uyo Senatorial Districts, leaving 1450 personnel yet to be employed.
