by crossriverwatch admin
(JTF) on oil theft (Operation Pulo Shield) Maj. General Emmanuel J.
Atewe, when he visited Government House, Calabar
The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) Operation Puolo Shield operating in the Niger Delta region to curb, oil theft, bunkering and kidnapping has informed Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State of increase in the number of kidnappings in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area of the State.
Creek Town is one of the oldest riverine towns in Cross River and tourist site that houses the historical home of the late Mary Slessor.
The current Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Efiok Cobham, whose father was kidnapped last year, is also from Creek Town.
The Commander of JTF, Major General Emmanuel Atewe gave an insight to the findings of the task force when he led his team to visit governor Imoke in Government House Calabar.
He however said efforts have been put in place to bring the situation under control even as he appealed to the government to fix the failed portion of the road leading to Creek Town in Odukpani Local Council Area to enable reinforcement when the need arises.
“We have received a lot of kidnapping cases in Creek Town and I went there with my team to see things for myself to know the strategy we are going to employ in tackling it.
“But the number one challenge I saw there Your Excellency is the bad road to the Creek, it is a road that should not be more than two kilometers and if you can graciously do the road, it will aid our efforts to fight the criminals around there.
“Creek Town terrain is a familiar one and I know most of those places when I was here during the Bakassi era, so the criminals should be ready to leave or we clamp down on them.” he said.
The Commander also promised to ensure zero tolerance for oil theft and solicited the assistance of the state to help them dislodge the activities of perpetrators at Ikang and Ekpri Ikang in Bakassi as soon as expected components and materials arrived.
In his response, Governor Imoke assured the JFT Commander of necessary support to fight crime and dislodged the criminals particularly in Bakassi Area of the State.
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