International Youth Day: Akwa Ibom police lead peace walk

Etim Ekpimah

The streets of Akwa Ibom State came alive on Thursday as police officers, young people and community stakeholders took part in a Walkathon designed to promote fitness, peace and stronger ties between the police and the younger generation.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command organised the exercise on August 20, 2026, as part of activities marking International Youth Day, using the event to encourage young people to reject crime and embrace opportunities capable of shaping a more secure and prosperous future.

DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, said the exercise was intended to promote healthy living, strengthen police-youth relations and encourage young people to channel their energy into productive pursuits.

Leading the participants, Azare noted that the state’s young population represented one of its greatest assets and could become a powerful force for development if properly engaged and supported.

Azare called for sustained mentorship, dialogue and collaboration between the police and youths, stressing that safer communities could not be built without young people as active partners in security efforts.

He urged youths across the state to remain law-abiding and steer clear of cultism, drug abuse, violence, cybercrime and other activities capable of destroying their prospects and threatening public safety.

Instead, the commissioner encouraged them to pursue education, entrepreneurship, sports, innovation and skills acquisition as pathways to productive and meaningful lives.

For Azare, however, the Walkathon was about more than physical exercise.

He described it as an opportunity to break down barriers between the police and the communities they serve, promote healthy living and create a positive environment for interaction among young people, law enforcement officers and other stakeholders.

John said the command remained committed to youth-friendly policing, community engagement, crime prevention and the protection of young people’s rights and future.

He urged youths to become ambassadors of peace and responsible citizenship and to support initiatives aimed at making their communities safer.

According to the police spokesman, the command would continue to strengthen partnerships with young people and other stakeholders in pursuit of lasting peace, security and development across Akwa Ibom.

The Walkathon, he said, was part of the command’s broader effort to make constructive engagement with young people an important tool for preventing crime, building trust and strengthening relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve.