November 16, (THEWILL) – The Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has condemned in strongest terms the attack and kidnapping of motorists and Commuters in the state.
The governor made this known in a press release, while formally reacting to the abduction of nine passengers along the Akamkpa Biase axis of the state.
The governor, who issued a press release he personally signed, announced a number of other security measures put in place by his administration to forestall a reoccurrence.
Ayade 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.
“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 engaged local hunters to assist in a private paramilitary 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”, he said.
The governor said his heart goes out to the victims of the crime and their families and frowned at the perpetrators for violating the innocence of the state.
He said such acts of criminality cannot and will not be allowed to take root in our state.
He assured residents that his administration is determined to ensure that the “incident is the last on our soil.”
Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, has confirmed the release of eight of the nine kidnapped Commuters.
She added that the case was a pure incident of armed robbery and dismissed speculations that it was perpetuated by herdsmen.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
