Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Monday staged a major Show of Force and Confidence-Building Operation across Uyo ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise witnessed the deployment of police personnel, patrol vehicles and other operational assets across major roads, strategic locations and identified areas within the Uyo metropolis.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, while addressing officers participating in the exercise, reassured residents of the command’s preparedness, operational capacity and determination to maintain peace throughout the electioneering period.
He noted that the command would not wait for violence to occur before taking necessary preventive action.
According to the commissioner, intelligence gathering, preventive policing, strategic deployment, stakeholder engagement and sustained visibility operations will remain central to the command’s security strategy as political activities towards the 2027 general elections intensify.
He reassured residents, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders that the police would remain professional, neutral, impartial and non-partisan, while providing a safe and secure environment in which every political party and law-abiding citizen can exercise their constitutional rights without fear, intimidation or harassment.
He, however, issued a strong warning to political thugs, sponsors of violence and other troublemakers, stressing that the command would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the prevailing peace in the state.
“Let me make it very clear: Akwa Ibom State belongs to all of us, and no political ambition is worth the blood or life of any citizen. The police will protect the electoral process and the rights of every law-abiding person, but anyone who chooses violence, intimidation, thuggery or criminality should be prepared to face the full consequences of the law,” the CP warned.
CP Azare particularly cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be recruited, armed or manipulated by politicians or other individuals for political violence, stressing that their future is greater than political thuggery.
He also warned against unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons, attacks on political opponents, destruction or defacement of campaign materials, hate speech, threats, intimidation and any attempt to prevent lawful political activities.
“Political parties, candidates and their supporters are therefore advised to conduct their activities peacefully and responsibly and to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies in maintaining public order,” he said.
The command also advised political parties and groups to give adequate notification of rallies, processions and other major political activities to enable the police make appropriate security and traffic arrangements and prevent avoidable clashes between rival groups.