Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has introduced a reward system for those who offer actionable security intelligence to forestall security breaches in the state.

Speaking at a strategic engagement meeting in Uyo with youth leaders drawn from all villages, the governor emphasised that credible information that helps security agencies prevent crime and apprehend criminals would be rewarded.

The Governor, who did not mention the amount to be given, explained, “We have always said, ‘If you see something, say something.’ Today, we are taking it a step further. If you see something, say something and win something. Credible information that helps security agencies prevent crime and apprehend criminals will be rewarded.”

He also announced the integration of 2,272 Village Youth Presidents across the state into the security architecture to strengthen intelligence gathering and deepen youth participation in governance.

He charged the village youth presidents to discharge their duties with patriotism and honesty, working closely with village heads, clan heads, paramount rulers, local government chairmen, and security agencies.

He also urged them to mobilize residents for civic participation, including the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

The governor observed that villages remain the first line of defence, in any society as people know one another in their communities, and they can easily identify strange movements and suspicious activities, saying “youth leaders will serve as vital links between local communities, traditional institutions, and security agencies to facilitate intelligence flow and strengthen vigilance at the grassroots.”,

He also directed security agencies to develop comprehensive training programmes for the youth leaders and integrate them into the state’s community security framework. He announced plans to expand the state’s Quick Response Force to cover all ten federal constituencies for faster emergency response even as he warned that the arrangement would not shield individuals involved in unlawful acts.
He said security remains a collective responsibility and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property through community-based approaches.