From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Residents of Mbukpa, Ambo and Adak Uko axis of Calabar South in Cross River state have raised the alarm over incessant robbery attacks and gangsterism within the area.
The residents are said to be living in fear as hardly any night passes with the hoodlums robbing several house between the hours of 2-4am just as gangsters parade the street about 9:00pm terrorising passers-by especially along dark areas snatching mobile phones, handbags and valuable items from them.
The latest attack was on the Wee hours of Wednesday when a gang of armed men moved form house to house at Adak Uko axis forcing doors burglary proofs open and robbed residents of cash, ATM cards, mobile phones, electronics and even carted away food items.
A witness said when some of the residents, who raised alarm calling for help during the incident, the gunmen warned that they did not come to kill but to take foods, money and valuables.
One of the victims, who gave her name as Grace Ettta and a
tenant, said help could not come untill after the robbers had left after operations.
She said: “Our neighbour who was hit on the forehead, said when she was screaming and panicky, they told her in Efik they did not come to kill but they needed foods and money.”
Another resident at Ambo Street, Effanga Effiong, said the thieves on gaining entry into her house, concentrated on carting away soup pots and valuables.
Effiong said her neighbours out a call across to Mbukpa Divisional Police Officer, DPO, but only responded after the robbers had gone.
A senior police officer at Mbukpa Division, who spoke off record, said they get calls almost every night from those axis but are handicapped because of logistics to move respond immediately.
He disclosed that police are not well equiped to counter the bandits, who weld sophisticated weapons.
Reacting, the State PPRO, Irene Ugbo, said she was yet to be briefed on the incidents, but said police is doing its best to fight crime and criminality.