By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
In a bid to tackle the problem of insecurity in some parts of the state capital and its environs, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade has directed the anti-crime squad known as “Operation Skolombo” to Calabar South Local Government Area, warning them not to compromise.
For some months running, cult groups and armed robbers have terrorised residents living in this area while several lives and property worth millions of Naira were lost.
Critics and well meaning Cross Riverians had cried out for the state government to send enough security personnel to assist in Calabar South following their experiences over the past six months.
However in what looks like a swift drama, Senator Ayade at the weekend directed the state’s anti-crime security outfit, to Calabar South Local Government Area.
Addressing the outfit comprising the army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence at Anantigha, headquarters of the council, Ayade said the relocation was done in good faith.
He added: “As you are all aware, statistics has shown clearly that indeed Calabar South is a key area of our focus, hence you are supposed to be were the hottest spot is, so that you can respond swiftly”.
Ayade promised to release additional operational vehicles to enable the outfit respond swiftly to the security challenges in the state, considering the demography of the area, assuring that “because Calabar South has a lot of entrants into the waterways, it is a difficult terrain to deal with. We are also bringing in some boats from the Nigerian Navy to station at all points from where you can have access to the waterways”
The governor who ordered the assessment of street lighting in the area, noted that “the criminality in Calabar South could only be controlled when there is full force in the area.”
He disclosed that “we are going to reinforce Cross River,. reinforce Calabar and Calabar South in particular to ensure that we make it impossible for any criminal to access ii”.
Ayade therefore charged the troops not to compromise their roles in the area but remain strong and steadfast in the discharge of their duties as “anything that interfere with the peace and security of the state is interfering with its entire existence”.
Earlier while introducing the troops to the governor, Brigadier General Biu Bulama said that “it is high time the headquarters of Operation Skolombo be relocated here so that we can be more efficient trying to fight the security challenges as it affects Calabar South”
