By Archibong Jeremiah
Yesterday, many residents of Calabar were terrified by the altercation that ensued between the police and the Nigerian Navy along IBB way where Akim Police barrack and the Navy barrack are both located.
The IBB way from the Stadium end to Rabana Roundabout in Calabar Metropolis was all of a sudden on Tuesday, deserted following the face off between junior officers of both the Nigerian Navy and the Police leading to residents of the area remaining indoors till this morning.
Gun shots reigned without let or hinder after what security chiefs at the end of their meeting with the governor today described as a ‘misunderstanding between a police man and a naval rating’.
The issue led to many disasters where a police traffic control post besides the UJ Esuene Sports Stadium was burnt down as well as a portion of the Akim police station and other properties along the IBB way before the intervention of security agencies.
The pandemonium occasioned by the mayhem has however been brought under control after the Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade intervened.
The Governor who conveyed an emergency security meeting at the governors’ office assured that, government will take responsibility for the damages incurred following the clash and called on all parties to remain law abiding.
Our correspondent reports that normalcy has returned to the area and the State at large following the intervention of both the Police and the Navy.
The governor met with heads of all the security agencies in a closed door session today to deliberate on the issue.
While briefing the press on the outcome of the meeting, the governor said the issue has been resolved and agencies have also resolved to contnue with their inter-agency cooperation.
The security chiefs also assured the public of bringing the culprits to book while reassuring residents that, normalcy has returned to the state capital.
Following the outcome of the meeting, residents are advised to go about their lawful businesses even as the State expects the visit of the Acting President, Yemi Osibanjo to the State tomorrow.
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