Reps Demand Action Against Kidnapping At UNICAL Staff Quarters

The House of Representatives has said there is an urgent need to address the escalating rate of kidnapping and criminalities at the staff quarters of the University of Calabar.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Peter Akpanke from Cross River State at plenary on Thursday.

Akpanke in leading the debate stated that the dimension of cases in these criminalities, especially those of kidnapping, has assumed an alarming rate, making residents scared of living within the environs.

He called for the implementation of urgent security actions to beef up security and confidence within the campus.

Akpanke further called on the relevant security agencies to ensure an increase in the deployment of their men and personnel to the region in order to secure lives and properties, adding that the relevant Committees of the House should ensure compliance.

The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Community Affairs as well as that on Police Affairs.

Also at plenary, the House adopted a motion moved by Hon. Bassey Ekpeyong on the urgent call for intervention in the violent clashes between some communities in Cross Rivers/Akwa Ibom State boundaries

Moving the motion, Ekpeyong stated that the boundary dispute between the two states has lasted for a long time and the rift led to a lot of displaced people.

He bemoaned that the lingering situation has emboldened unscrupulous characters to take advantage of, and resolve to attack and kidnap, innocent farmers and traders.

The lawmaker expressed worry that this could lead to food insecurity as well as breakdown of law and order and called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency to ensure relief to the the affected victims while the National Boundary Commission should clearly define the border between both states to halt further skirmishes.

The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Special Duties, Humanitarian Affairs as well as that on Disaster Preparedness.