By: Vitalis Ugoh:
Cross River Police Command has paraded 15 suspected persons involved in various form of crimes in the state.
They were alleged to have been involved in child trafficking, armed robbery, robbery,murder and car snatching.
Speaking to newsmen after parading the suspects, the Cross River Commissioner of Police, Jiomh Omeiza Ozi-Obeh, reassured members of the public that the command had the capacity, capability and the where withal to deal with any miscreants who may dare to harass and intimidate Cross Riverian.
Therefore, he said “we die for your cooperation, support and understanding in providing useful information that could lead to the arrest these hoodlums
and crime perpetrators”.
While assuring residents of the commands’ preparedness to protect lives and property, he said two women were arrested in connection of child trafficking. Investigation into the case is on- going.
Also, he said, two suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of two persons.
The state governor Senator Ben Ayade, had in a broadcast to the people recently on the state of insecurity said, “security report has it that about 17 people have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of people in the state”.
Unfortunately, non of the alleged 17 persons earlier arrested were paraded by the police.
When contacted on this issue, the Commissioner of police “said my friend, you want to make my job difficult. I had already spoken to your colleagues on this matter. Go and get the information from them ok”.
In the past few months, incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery and cultists had been in the increase. Residents of Calabar have continued to live in fear.
There is no single day that will pass without a record of two to three robbery,kidnapping and cultists incidences.
He debunked the story that two local governments were under siege in Cross River.
“Cross River, he said, is free and safe for both visitors and tourists doing business here”.
Indigenes of Akpabuyo and Bakassi local governments are safe and have been carrying their normal business daily without any molestation, he added.
On the kidnapping of former 2nd Republic senator Patrick Ani , he said, “we are still trailing the abductors”.
Three personalities namely, Patrick Ani, Elder Patrick Obasse and Comrade Ededem Ita Edem, were still missing without any useful information.
The kidnappers are demanding huge ransom on their heads.
