By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar
In line with Governor Ben Ayade’s vow to make Cross River hot for kidnappers and other criminal elements operating in the state, Operation “Akpakwu”, a security outfit launched last week by the Governor, has nabbed a Kidnnap kingpin in the state, Etim Etim Bassey.
Several other kidnappers were also arrested in the operation.
Etim and his gang are part of the kidnap ring that has been terrorising Calabar, the state capital.
Ayade had, while launching the security outfit, declared war on the kidnappers and other criminals in the state, asking them to relocate from Cross River, especially, Calabar or face the wrath of his Government.
He vowed to restore the state to its natural peaceful nature.
“Cross River State statistically remains the safest state in Nigeria , however as a state we are used to the culture of zero kidnapping, zero cultism and zero robbery.
“In recent past, there has been an increase in the number of crime within the Niger Delta and the country as a whole arising from the difficulty orchestrated by Endsars as well as Covid19 which brought a general poverty and general hardship upon the entire world”
According to him, “the instruction is very clear from Abuja, you must deal decisively with any form of criminality, you must deal decisively with any form of banditry, cultism, kidnapping of any form.
“Let this, therefore, be a strong message to every Cross Riverian and non indigenes alike, that as far as you are resident in Cross River State, today is the end of that criminality.
“Today is the end of armed robbery, banditry must end today. We have received very clear instructions from the federal government and I have supported and I stand strong with all my military men and the police that they must comply with the obligations, the instructions and orders of the Inspector General of Police and the commander in chief of the Nigerian armed forces that Cross River State must be made safe.”
The Governor blamed the spate of kidnappings and robberies in the state on outsiders, citing the police records of those arrested so far in the state over crimes.
He stated that going forward, every landlord in the state must account for every tenant as part of the regulations which he has signed into law under the Homeland security.
The Governor also declared that under this operation “Akpakwu”, Government will henceforth demolish any property belonging to, or being occupied by kidnappers and robbers”
Operation “Akpakwu” draws personnel from the army, navy, Air Force and Civil Defence.
To enhance operations, the Governor handed over 100 patrol vehicles fitted with cutting edge communication gadgets, ten power bikes and drones.
And, now, the outfit has plucked its first fruits.
