Akwa Ibom State Acquires 14 Gunboats for Maritime Security

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the acquisition of 14 gunboats and is nearing the completion of a digital security Command and Control Centre located on Brooks Street, Uyo. This initiative is part of efforts to enhance surveillance, combat maritime crime, and protect the state's strategic oil and gas infrastructure.

Brig. Gen. Koko Essien (rtd.), the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, disclosed these developments during a ministerial press briefing at Government House, Uyo. He emphasized the government's collaboration with relevant security agencies to address issues such as oil theft, sea piracy, cultism, and kidnapping, particularly along the state's 129-kilometre coastline.

The Command and Control Centre will serve as a digital coordination hub for security operations and is expected to integrate ambulance and emergency response services as well as traffic management functions. Improved security measures have reportedly contributed to increased oil production by curbing illegal activities.