Uyanga Travelers Abduction: Ayade Fumes, To Take Battle To Bandits

By Patrick Obia

Following the sporadic shooting of a foreign national’s Prado SUV vehicle on Monday and the kidnap of nine commuters on Tuesday along the Calabar-Ikom highway in Akamkpa Local Government area of Cross River, Governor Ben Ayade has condemned the attacks in “strongest term,” saying the State Government will “take the battle to the bandits.”

Governor Ayade fumed in a press release signed by himself on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, where he said such acts of criminality cannot and will not be allowed to take root in the State and will be the last.

He disclosed that the State has “made a request to the Federal Government to draft more troops to the Uyanga forest as well as the deployment of a Tucano aircraft, and will also purchase more gunboats and patrol vehicles to protect our waterways and our highways.”

The press release reads: “I condemn in the strongest terms, the attack and kidnapping of some motorists and commuters along the Akamkpa-Ugep axis of the Calabar-Ikom Highway yesterday, Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

“While we appreciate the commendable success so far recorded in the rescue operation which is still ongoing, such acts of criminality cannot and will not be allowed to take root in our state, as we are determined to ensure that the incident is the last on our soil.

Advert by CRWatch :Place Yours

Our heart goes out to the victims and their families of this heinous crime that has violated the innocence of our state.

“l appeal for calm, support and cooperation of our people as security comb through every nook and cranny of the Uyanga forest.

“We are a peace-loving people and as such will not allow criminality of any to find a fertile ground anywhere in our have.

“We have made a request to the Federal Government to draft more troops to the Uyanga forest as well as the deployment of a Tucano aircraft.

“Additionally, we have activated the Homeland Security outfit and have engaged local hunters to assist in a private paramilitary capacity.

“The State will also purchase more gunboats and patrol vehicles to protect our waterways and our highways just as we have activated the automatic security system on the entrance into Calabar. We once again appeal for calm as we take the battle to the bandits.”

Since You Are Here, Support Good Journalism

CrossRiverWatch was founded on the ideals of deploying tech tools to report in an ethical manner, news, views and analysis with a narrative that ensures transparency in governance, a good society and an accountable democracy.

Everyone appreciates good journalism but it costs a lot of money. Nonetheless, it cannot be sacrificed on the altar of news commercialization.

Consider making a modest contribution to support CrossRiverWatch's journalism of credibility and integrity in order to ensure that all have continuous free access to our noble endeavor.