By Kelvin Ololo
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has called for stronger collaboration among citizens, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to effectively tackle insecurity across the state.
The governor made the call while declaring open the “Unite Against Terror” Security Summit held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Pearl Ball Hall of Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.
Represented by his Deputy Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Governor Otu said his administration has placed security at the center of its governance agenda since assuming office, expressing confidence that sustained collaboration would significantly reduce criminal activities in the state.
“The security landscape in Cross River State has changed. Under my administration, security has been treated as a top priority through initiatives such as Operation Okwok and joint security operations across the state.
“The theme, ‘Unite Against Terror,’ is a clear declaration that we are collaborating to say no to kidnapping, armed robbery, human trafficking and drug abuse. It is a united call to action to stand against insecurity in Cross River State,”he said.
The governor stressed that the government alone cannot win the fight against insecurity, urging residents, traditional rulers, institutions and security agencies to work together in protecting lives and property.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Cross River State, Mr. Oluwole Faluyi, described terrorism and insecurity as major obstacles to development, noting that criminal groups often exploit instability to weaken institutions.
He said sustained public enlightenment initiatives such as the Unite Against Terror campaign would strengthen community participation in combating security threats.
“We have enjoyed relative peace, but after this summit, we want to bury insecurity,” Faluyi said, while urging Cross River residents to take collective responsibility for maintaining peace and stability.
Representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service also outlined ongoing collaborative strategies aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering, border security and community engagement in addressing security threats.
The State Security Adviser to the Governor, retired Major General Okoi Ubi Obono, said modern security operations require more than military engagements, stressing that intelligence gathering and community partnership remain critical to defeating terrorism.
“Defeating terrorism requires more than military force. While military cooperation remains necessary, lasting victory depends on intelligence, collaboration, prevention and community resilience,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of civil society organizations, the Deputy National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Comrade Jonathan Abang Ugbal, argued that terrorism extends beyond bombings and kidnappings to include the persistent communal conflicts affecting many parts of the state.
“Terrorism does not necessarily mean only bombings, kidnappings and abductions that we see every day in the news. It also includes the intra- and inter-community conflicts affecting 14 of the 18 local government areas in the state,” he said.
Ugbal also called for greater accountability in security funding.
“We in civil society believe it is not about what is budgeted but what is eventually released,” he stated, while urging the state government to repair abandoned operational vehicles at security formations across Cross River.
Earlier, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Ms. Beatrice Akpala, said the summit signalled the end of fear and silence, urging participants to translate the campaign’s message into practical action.
‘Unite Against Terror’ is not merely a slogan. It is a call to conscience. It is a declaration that security is everyone’s responsibility. It is a reminder that terrorism, violent extremism, kidnapping, cultism, organized crime, cyber threats, drug abuse and every form of insecurity thrive where communities are divided, silent and indifferent,” she said.
Responding on behalf of traditional institutions, the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Oval Solomon Osim, pledged the commitment of traditional rulers to mobilize communities against violence and security threats.
He assured participants that traditional institutions would continue partnering with government and security agencies to safeguard peace across the state.
The summit attracted top government officials, members of the State Executive Council, legislators, heads of security agencies, service commanders, traditional rulers, political leaders, youth representatives, clergy, civil society organizations and other stakeholders committed to strengthening security and promoting peace in Cross River State.
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