Cross River State Governor Issues Final Warning To Criminals

By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent

Cross River State Government has issued a final warning to kidnappers and other criminal elements.

The State Governor, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu took to his Facebook page and read the riot act.

It reads in parts “It is with a high sense of responsibility and concern for the security and wellbeing of our citizenry that I address you this morning. I am particularly concerned about the high incidence of kidnapping, abduction, and other acts that are committed for the purpose of collecting ransom, including actions that prevent people from going about their legitimate business.

“Since my assumption of office, my administration has been focused on engaging all strata of society in a productive manner with the aim of improving income for every hardworking person particularly young people.

“But it is very sad that instead of keying into the new administration’s development strategy, a few criminal elements have resorted to making money or income while holding a gun to our heads. In their quest for this illicit wealth, they have resorted to kidnapping and abduction, crimes that are alien to our culture and people.

“The said elements by their actions show no love, sympathy, or respect, for human life. They have suddenly made our once peaceful state become a pariah for tourists, investors, and even ordinary people.

“I wish to state very unequivocally that enough is enough. This must stop not tomorrow but today.

“Heads of security Agencies are therefore directed to implore all resources at their disposal to ensure that this menace stops forthwith and that all hostages are freed and returned safely to their families.

“We are committed to operating within the ambit of the Cross River State Kidnap law passed by the 8th Assembly, assented to by the Governor, and gazetted by the Government Printer in 2016.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the said law makes provision for various penalties that my administration is ready and willing to enforce in order to bring the reprehensible criminal activity to an end.”