The Nigeria Police Force has been commended for the successful and prompt rescue of eight kidnapped persons in Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The governor of the state, Professor Ben Ayade appreciated the rescue operation of the Nigeria Police Cross River command for the release of eight out of nine kidnapped persons from captivity.
On November 15, 2022, nine commuters were abducted by unknown gunmen from two vehicles traveling in opposite directions along the Akamkpa–Ugep axis of the Calabar – Ikom Highway in Cross River State.
Governor Ayade, who empathized with the survivors and their families over the incident, condemned the attack and kidnapping of the commuters, noting “I condemned in the strongest terms the attack and kidnap of some motorists and commuters along the Akamkpa-Ugep axis of the Calabar – Ikom Highway”.
He further said, “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. Our heart goes out to the victims and their families of this heinous crime, which has violated the innocence of our state.”
Enhancing security
The Cross River Governor disclosed that as a peace-loving state, the government was taking steps to protect its citizens and enhance surveillance of its thick and vast forest, which cuts across eight local government areas in the state.
Ayade indicated that Homeland security, which was established as a state-owned joint task force, has been activated as well as local hunters engaged to assist in surveillance of the Uyanga forest.
He said, “We have made a request to the Nigerian Government to draft more troops to the Uyanga (Akamkpa local government area) forest as well as the deployment of a Tucano aircraft. Additionally, we have activated the Homeland security outfit and engaged local hunters to assist.”
He added that: “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.”
He appealed for calm, support and cooperation from Nigerian residents in Cross River State.
Olusola Akintonde
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