By Utang Bassey
The atmosphere in Calabar South local government area of Cross River State is growing tense following the shooting of 3 people within 3 days in what some fear may trigger a new gangster war in the council area.
Findings by CrossRiverWatch reveal it began Friday last week around the Pinn Margaret secondary school end of Atakpa street where a 200 Level Microbiology student of CRUTECH (unnamed) suspected to be a member of one of the criminal gangs, the Black Axe confraternity was shot allegedly by members of another criminal gang, the Klan’s confraternity in the late hours of the morning which forced nearby educational institutions to close as early as 12 noon.
Sources in and around the Calabar campus of the varsity say the unnamed undergraduate had participated in a gyration by Black Axe members on campus earlier in the day to mourn one of their colleagues who was gunned down by another student named James, (whom sources also say now walks around with a group of colleagues who act as guards) where he may have been spotted by a Klansman (a member of Klans Confraternity) in his street who later shot him as he was returning home.
Later in the evening, CrossRiverWatch also gathered that another suspected Black Axe member was allegedly gunned down by suspected Klan’s confraternity members around Essien street axis of New Airport which forced the Police SARS team to mount a stop and search operation at the Ekpo Abasi junction.
The student, impeccable sources informed CrossRiverWatch died Sunday morning which some sources say; his death may be connected to the killing of an unknown man around the same axis.
“These events show signs of dark days ahead” Ayamba (not actual name) a shop owner told CrossRiverWatch.
Several others who could be heard conversing with their neighbours and fellow shop owners pray it ends quickly as according to them, the reprisal attacks from Black Axe confraternity is usually dreadful.
A few of those who spoke in hush tones fingered top government functionaries, accusing them of financing and arming the Klan’s confraternity to show “they are in power” with one even recalling that the said group “even gyrated at Marian during the carnival with no questions been asked about their activities whatsoever.”
These killings come barely two weeks after over 40 boys dressed only in underpants launched a massive looting and snatching spree along Ekpo Abasi and Inyang streets with the snatching of phones, cash and other valuables on the increase within the metropolis.
A Staff of CrossRiverWatch was also attacked by these elements leaving him with several body injuries after forcefully collecting phones, up to 13,000 Naira in cash and other valuables.
Also, some residents have expressed fear that the Quick Intervention Squad renamed ‘Operation Skolombo’ by the governor is waning out with unverified information suggesting the governor may have disbanded them.
CrossRiverWatch is yet to get through to the Police Public Relations Officer, John Eluu and State Security Adviser, Jude Ngaji for comments.
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