Otu Rallies Cross River Residents Against Terrorism, Kidnapping

Cross River State government has rallied the people of the state against terrorism, kidnapping and banditry. It declared that security must beeveryone’s responsibility.

While opening the Cross River State Security Summit yesterday at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, said the gathering brought together civil society organisations, youth and women groups, the media, the private sector and patriotic citizens who share “a common dream, a safe, peaceful and prosperous Cross River State.”

He stressed that “security is the foundation on which development in all ramifications thrives.”
Recalling the state’s recent security challenges, Odey said Cross River passed through a dark chapter of kidnapping and armed robbery.

“Families live in fear, traders were afraid to travel, investors hesitated, the highways and waterways were dominated by criminal elements who held our people hostage,” he said, adding that professionals relocated and businesses were closed.

He said the story has now changed due to the proactive approach of the government and the cooperation of citizens.

The administration, he explained, created an empowered operational cork which he described as “a quick joint security team with vehicles and other logistics” for synergy among the army, police, navy, air force, DSS and other agencies, leading to the surrender of hundreds of militants.

He said the summit’s theme is a declaration that “we say no to kidnapping, no to armed robbery, no to burglary and no to cultism.”

He urged security agencies to sustain professionalism and respect for human rights, and charged traditional and religious leaders to speak up on threats, while tasking the youth and women groups to drive awareness.

He also charged the press to “communicate responsibly, avoiding sensationalism and spread of unnecessary panic among citizens.”

On her part, chairman of the Planning Committee, Beatrice Akpala, said, “We must shun indifference, collaborate with one another, share intelligence information with security agents to overpower criminal network.”