By Patrick Obia
The Cross River Police command has warned gangs and hoodlums in the State against acts that will create panic and chaos.
The command said it has received intelligence of a planned invasion by gangstars and hoodlums masquerading as gang members to wreak havoc.
Some gangsters had infiltrated Awi in Akamkpa Local Government Area, less than 60 kilometers away from Calabar. The Police is said to have moved in and quelled what would have been a serious crisis.
And, the Police said such acts will be met with “adequate force,” a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police on Saturday read.
The command said the planned actions was for some sort of supremacy and said it will not hesitate to deploy the necessary strategy to maintain peace and order.
“The attention of Cross River State Police command has been drawn to plans by some hoodlums under the guise of cult supremacy planning to wreck havoc and disturb the peace of law abiding citizens.
“We are by this notice warning any group with such intention to jettison the idea as such activities would be met with adequate Force, anyone caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The police will not fold it arms and watch unscrupulous elements disrupt the relative peace that the State has enjoyed over time as we intend to maintain that status of the most peaceful state in the country.
“Students commenced exams and some cult group are intending to cause mayhem, for the benefit of doubt we have infiltrated all tertiary Institutions across the State to nip such attack in the bud, we will be proactive in our approach to deal decisively with any threat.
“All law abiding citizens should go about their lawful activities without fear as we are watching and never resting on our oars in making sure that our State is safe,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the management of the University of Cross River State(UNICROSS), has warned students against “flying colours” as 300, 400 and 500 level students commence their second semester examination on Monday, July 26, 2021 in all campuses.
Flying colours is a gang term that refers to the display of a color in one’s dressing. Each gang has a unique color attached to it.
In a circular number 335 captioned “sustaining peace and security on campus during the remaining semester examinations,” the school warned against wearing fez caps, hood jackets and carrying of bags into the campus.
The authorities further enjoined students to subject themselves to security checks and avoid any act that will constitute security threat in the campus and its environs.
Read the Circular below.
“The remaining Semester Examinations which involve mainly third and fourth year Students shall commence on Monday, July 26, 2021. To sustain the peaceful and secure atmosphere and or environment that prevailed during the previous examinations, Management has directed as follows;
“Students should desist from wearing fez caps to the school compound. Security Men are instructed to confiscate such caps from students at the gate. Students are also prohibited from wearing Hood Jackets and bringing bags into the Campus during the examinations.
“Students should promptly report the presence of strange people in the Campus to the University Security Department. Students shall be subjected to thorough search before being admitted into the examination halls.
On the last day of final year examinations, fiying of colours will not be allowed in the Campus and environs. Students will not also be allowed to pour water on one another after the examination in the Campus and environs. Students should not loiter around examination areas if they are not part of the examination.
“These directives shall apply in all Campuses of the University. Adherence to the directives above will ensure hitch free examinations as well as guarantee safety. Please, let all concerned give effect to these directives.”