These article ‘Group gives Ayade 7-day ultimatum to address insecurity in C’River, or…’ was originally published on Paradise News
A group under the aegis of Governance Accountability Forum, has given Sen. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, a 7-day ultimatum to address the issues surrounding the securing of lives and properties in the state.
The final notice came in due to the incessant kidnappings of low and medium income earners, businessmen and women, medical doctors, civil servants and many more across the state.
In a letter signed by Enome Amatey, Esq., Director General, Governance Accountability Forum on Thursday and addressed to the Governor, the group said they will mobilised Cross Riverians to take over the streets in a peaceful protest if the insecurity continues.
The letter which was tilled ‘The Worrying State Of Insecurity In Cross River State: A Call For Action’, said “It is now common knowledge that over the past one (1) year or thereabout, the once very peaceful and safe city of Calabar has been overtaken by criminalities and has become a safe haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements.
“Law abiding residents of the state going about their legitimate businesses have become soft targets for these kidnappers; businessmen and/or their family members are taken at gunpoint without any resistance. A day hardly goes by without news of the kidnap of a medical doctor making the rounds; a situation which has led to the Nigerian Medical Association, Calabar Branch downing their tools. This is both disturbing and worrisome particularly in the face of the global COVID-19 Pandemic.
“Your Excellency, in spite of the fact that the media is awash with news of the incessant kidnappings, there appears to be a conspiracy of silence on the part of the government. It also appears that the Security Agencies are helpless in the face of this worrying menace.
“May we remind you sir that the primary responsibility of government is the welfare and ‘security’ of her citizens. Thus, outside infrastructural development, these are the yardsticks upon which the performance of every administration would be measured.
“To this end, we call on the government to be alive to her responsibilities; to take a decisive action geared towards nipping this menace in the bud. Lip service would definitely not suffice at this point, we need to see organised raids on the hideouts of these criminals, we need to see arrests made, we need reassurances that we can go about our businesses without fear of being whisked away into the forest as baits for ransom, we need to know the government takes our security very seriously”.
Sounding the 7-day ultimatum, the letter said, “Your Excellency, in the unlikely event that our request is not given the urgent attention it requires and we do not see and feel a positive change in the security architecture of Cross River State within seven (7) days of the receipt of this notice, we shall be constrained to activate our right to peaceful protest and take steps to mobilize Civil Society Organisations, professional Bodies/Associations, businessmen and well meaning residents of Cross River State to take to the streets in protest against these distasteful occurrences.
“While trusting that Your Excellency would do the needful, do receive the assurances of our highest regards.
“Thank you in anticipation for your prompt action”, the letter concluded.
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