Cross River State government has established security framework to gulped criminal activities including kidnapping, cultism, drug addiction and armed robbery in the state.
Governor Ben Ayade disclosed this at a first security meeting of Local Government Areas of the state held on Wednesday in Calabar South Local Government Area.
He regretted the high rates of crimes in the state, saying, “The establishment of a pilot scheme was to reduce crimes in the state, Calabar was once a model in this country because civilization started in Calabar”.
Governor Ayade who was represented by his State Security Adviser, South, Hon. Ani Esin lamented that today, Calabar is the least in terms of peace, “It’s very worrisome and government takes it seriously, hence we commence this exercise here.
“It is the crime situation in Calabar that we have to take proactive action to makes sure that we gain back the peace we had in Calabar. The framework we have established would go a long way to ensure that peace and security of life and property are ensured.
He said with the establishment of the framework, cultism, drugs addiction and criminals would be brought to a standstill. “Those who harboured these criminals including clan head, village heads, landlords, chiefs would be treated as the suspects of the crimes.
“We have discovered that Anatigha community was in an international border line and the borders are porous and we have to curtail this. We also noted that in Calabar, some elements are into drugs, we have some drugs hideout, the framework will help to curtail this too” he stated.
Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, Prof Itam Hogan Itam said that Calabar South is a flash point of the state where crime rate is high but noted that crimes are not only limited to Calabar South and not limited to any ethnic group.
“We have volunteered to join the government to reduce the crime rates and instead of being a flashpoint for crime, it should be the flashpoint of peace.
“One of the elements of insecurity is impersonation; we should always identify those who attend our meetings so that what we discussed should not go out” he said.
Earlier, the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) Mrs Christine Nelson Elemi represented by Charles Effong Offiong Obo said that Calabar South is a border local government area.
“We have security situation arising from non-corporation of some community leaders in information dissemination, which most are attributed to either non-recognition by the state government or non-payment of their stipends.
“Our local government is bounded by waterways, the waterways enhances bunkering activities, kidnapping, drugs peddling and we are currently battling with the proliferation of arms.
“If we sit down to articulate a framework to ensure that all the sundry is involves in the business of security our life and property devoid of sentiments, would be secured”
The security meeting was attended by security chiefs in Calabar South including Police, DSS, Vigilante, NSCDC and other security groups as well as traditional rulers.
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