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Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade has condemned Tuesday’s attack and kidnapping of some motorists and commuters along the Akamkpa-Ugep axis of the Calabar- Ikom Highway.
In a statement he personally endorsed, the governor, while commiserating with the victims of the incident and their families, warned that the state government will not tolerate any more of such incidents in the state.
The statement said: “I condemn, in the strongest terms, the attack and kidnapping of some motorists and commuters along the Akamkpa-Ugep axis of the Calabar Ikom Highway yesterday, Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
“While we appreciate the commendable success so far recorded in the rescue operation which is still ongoing, such acts of criminality cannot and will not be allowed to take root in the state. a8 we are determined to ensure that the incident is the last on our soil. Our heart goes out to the victims and their families of this heinous crime which has violated the innocence of our state.”
The governor appealed to residents of the state to remain calm, even as he solicited the support and cooperation of residents and security agencies in the ongoing search and rescue operation. He noted that the people of Cross River State are peace-loving people, but would not allow criminals to fine nest in their domain.
“We are a peace-loving people and as such will not allow criminality of any hue, to find a fertile ground anywhere in our state. We have made a request to the Federal Government to draft more troops to the Uyanga forest as well as the deployment of a Tucano aircraft.
“Additionally, we have activated the Homeland Security outfit and have engaged local hunters to assist in a private para-military capacity.
The state will also purchase more gunboats and patrol vehicles to protect our waterways and our highways, just as we have activated the automatic security system on the entrance into Calabar. We once, again, appeal for calm as we take the battle to the bandits,” the statement concluded.
