Eno to integrate village youth presidents into state security architecture
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has announced a new administration policy to integrate village youth presidents into the state’s security framework.
Addressing Government House correspondents at the Victor Attah International Airport on Friday, 19th June, 2026, on arrival from a two-day official trip, the governor stated that the initiative is a direct response to the prevailing national security climate.
”The reason is simple: we must take security seriously,” Governor Eno said. “The current situation in the country demands that all state governors be proactive. Since our youth presidents reside within our more than 2,200 villages, they must be integrated into the state’s security architecture as we prepare to operationalise our state police force.”
A new intelligence network
Governor Eno explained that the youth leaders will be formally inducted into the Ibom Community Watch. Their primary mandate will be intelligence gathering, for which they will undergo rigorous training provided by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
”They will serve as our intelligence officers, accountable to the government within their respective villages,” the Governor noted. “This initiative serves a dual purpose: strengthening our security network and creating employment for over 2,200 youth leaders.”
Accountability and asset protection
The governor expressed concern over the recurring vandalism of public infrastructure, such as primary schools, within rural communities. He asserted that this integration will foster a new culture of accountability, as youth presidents will now have a formal duty to safeguard local government assets.
”You must be responsible for what happens in your village,” he added. “The government is now hiring you. You are expected to know who resides in your village and monitor all visitors. Criminal activities and security breaches do not occur in isolation; they are often preceded by detectable patterns.”
Upon his arrival, Governor Eno also conducted an inspection of the ongoing Aviation Village project at the Victor Attah International Airport.
