The Cross River State Government has dismissed as false, the report by some online publications claiming that the Government House in Calabar was invaded by militants.
Some online platforms (not DAILY POST) had reported that no fewer than 20 suspected Bakassi militants yesterday invaded the Cross River State Governor’s office in Calabar, shortly after the Deputy Governor, Ivara Esu, reported for the day’s duties.
The report had it that the suspected militants invaded the Government House at about 10am and held Esu and the staff hostage for several hours.
But reacting in a statement issued on Saturday, the Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita insisted that the report is not only misleading but a sad demonstration of ethical bankruptcy.
His words, “the report is a regrettable sensationalisation of a peaceful protest by some ex-militants over their three months unpaid allowances by the Federal Government.
“The ex-militants were not armed and so could not have invaded the Government House. Rather, they were very civil in their conduct as they sought audience with the officials of the state government whom they hoped would take their message to Abuja.
“Once attended to, they peacefully dispersed. So it beggars belief that such a peaceful and innocuous protest would be reported as an invasion of the Government House. More ludicrous is the claim that the deputy governor was held hostage. No such thing happened.”
The statement concluded that Cross River remains the safest state in the country and urged the media to refrain from unnecessary sensationalism so as not to cause panic among members of the public.
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