By Ushang Ewa
Armed robbers, numbering about 6 stormed Mbukpa axis of Calabar South between the hours of 6 and 7PM a few hours after the “Operation Show Of Force” led by Cross River governor, Ben Ayade took place in the capital city carting away goods worth hundreds of thousands of Naira.
Mbukpa, according to reports was one of the areas visited in the show of force patrol which the government says is aimed at intimidating criminal elements and warning them to either stop, pack out or face renewed onslaught from security agencies.
Findings by CrossRiverWatch reveal that the robbers, walking in twos and in a safe distance apart first surveyed the area with a concerned citizen running to the nearby Mbukpa police station to inform the police who according to sources were loading bullets into their weapons to begin a new patrol and surveillance shift.
One of the shop owners allegedly fled, leaving his shop behind with the robbers armed with locally made weapons accosting customers, asking them for cash while a nearby super store saw cartons of drinks and perfumes as well as the day’s sales carted away by the elements who fled the scene towards Adak Uko shortly before the police arrived.
A witness told CrossRiverWatch on phone that they were amazed at the swiftness of the police who allegedly did not wait to take orders from the Divisional Police Officer before jumping into their van to engage the robbers who had fled before the police were informed of the development.
The governor, Ben Ayade had earlier in the day led heads of security agencies in what the government termed “Operation Show Of Force” through major streets in the capital city.
The event follows days of successful dare devil robberies in the state which has also seen an upward surge in kidnappings.
However, the government has continuously talked tough, assuring Cross Riverians and the world that “Cross River remains safe”.
It remains to be seen whether the renewed vigor displayed by the governor will whittle down the crime rate.
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