By Frank Edima
The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Henry Fadairo has said the main cause of insecurity and unrest in Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas is the existence of hoodlums who call themselves ex-militants.
He made the revelation during his visit to Akpabuyo for a town hall meeting with Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) members, traditional leaders and security agents in both Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas at Ikot Nakanda, Akpabuyo local government council headquarters.
The State Chief Cop, added that, the Nigeria Police is ready to combat terrorists in the area as long as the people cooperate with them.
His words, “The main problem of insecurity challenges in this region is the young people calling themselves ex militants. I don’t call them ex-militants because all ex-militants have been taken care of. When you are afraid of pointing them out then you allow them to terrorize you.”
Fadairo made known that the force has achieved remarkable success in the fight against terrorism as he sites Calabar South which was hitherto known as a safe haven for criminals but has been made unsafe for them by the efforts of his men.
The Chairman, Akpabuyo local government area, Patrick Ene, represented by his Vice, Mrs. Gift Orok Duke, in a brief speech said the meeting was a fruitful one.
Furthermore, the Chairman maintained that his office is open at all times for ideas to move the area and State forward.
On her part, the Bakassi local government Chairman, Edisua Usang-Iso, while speaking maintained that the initiative of strengthening ties with the police is a welcomed development.
She further decried the spate of activities of ex-militants and other criminals in her domain and solicited for more efforts to clamp them down.
Also speaking, Akpabuyo Youth Leader, Edem Effiong revealed that the Police officers around them do not encourage their cooperation in the fight against crime, stating that, “Whenever these ex-militants attack us in the community, the police officers do not respond. When we even report we end up running for our lives.”
“The police officers that could help us are the ones who disclose information to the terrorists so they come to attack us for even reporting again. They have discouraged us from cooperating with them in this fight.”