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For Chief Enu Caesar, the conversation about security in Boki Local Government Area is no longer something people should whisper about in beer parlours, village meetings or behind closed doors.
He believes it is time to ask the question openly.
In a public memo addressed to the Cross River State Governor, security chiefs, the Boki Local Government Chairman and the State House of Assembly Committee on Security, Chief Caesar said the people of Boki are becoming increasingly worried about the security situation in parts of the local government.
It was against this background that Boki Blog Africa sat down with Chief Enu Caesar at his country home at 10 Government Street, Ebam Borum, Borum, Boki LGA, where he spoke openly about the security situation in parts of Boki, the difficulties facing security personnel on the ground and why he believes government needs to pay closer attention to the issue. In a calm but passionate conversation, he explained what he has seen, what worries him and what he believes should be done before the situation becomes more difficult.
Below are excerpts from the interview;
Chief Caesar, why are you raising this issue now?
Chief Enu Caesar: We have kept quiet for too long. People have been talking among themselves about security in Boki, but we need to bring the matter into the open.
Security cannot work on prayers alone. The people protecting our communities need vehicles, fuel, communication equipment and other support.
Are you saying security agencies in Boki are not being properly funded?
Chief Enu Caesar: That is the concern. For some time now, we have seen situations where citizens and stakeholders have had to contribute from their own pockets to support security operations.
That should not become the normal way of doing things.
Government has the responsibility to protect lives and property. Citizens can support government, but they should not be the ones carrying the main burden of security.
What happens when there is no proper logistics?
Chief Enu Caesar: Response becomes difficult.
Imagine something happens in a remote community and the security team does not have enough fuel or a vehicle that can quickly take them there.
By the time they arrive, what are they going to meet?
That is why we are saying that security is not only about having policemen or other security personnel on the ground. They must also have what they need to work.
You also mentioned cocoa trucks. Why is that important?
Chief Enu Caesar: Boki is an agricultural area. Cocoa is one of the major things our people depend on.
When a truck carrying cocoa worth millions of naira leaves a community, it is not just one person's business. Farmers have their money inside that truck. Transporters have their own interest. Buyers have their investment.
So, when such a truck is attacked or hijacked, many people suffer.
We have had reports of cocoa trucks worth about ₦20 million being hijacked. That should worry everybody.
Does this also affect investors?
Chief Enu Caesar: Definitely.
An investor wants to know that his workers are safe, his goods are safe and his vehicles can move freely.
Look at companies like PRESCO and other investments connected to Boki. Look at the Boki East-West Road project.
If insecurity continues around the communities, it can affect business and development.
Nobody wants to invest heavily in a place where they are constantly afraid.
What do you want Governor Otu to do?
Chief Enu Caesar: We are asking for an emergency security intervention for Boki.
We are particularly concerned about the Borum, Boje, Nsadop and Isobendeghe axis.
We need the government to look at the situation and provide the necessary support to the security agencies working there.
We are also asking for patrol vehicles, fuel support and communication equipment for areas such as Okundi, Boje and Nsadop.
These things may look small when you mention them, but to a security officer trying to respond to an emergency in a remote community, they can make a very big difference.
You also mentioned transparency. What exactly do you mean?
Chief Enu Caesar: People want to know what is being spent on security.
If money is released for security, people should be able to see that the money is actually being used for security.
The Boki people deserve to know.
We are not saying government should expose sensitive security information. No. But there should be accountability when it comes to public funds.
What about the security agencies themselves?
Chief Enu Caesar: They also need to speak.
We have security personnel in Boki who know the situation on the ground better than many of us.
They know where the challenges are. They know where they need vehicles. They know where communication is difficult.
We need honest conversations between government, security agencies, traditional rulers, the local government and the people.
So, what is your immediate proposal?
Chief Enu Caesar: We want a security summit in Boki.
Bring the police, DSS, other security agencies, the local government, traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society groups together.
Let everybody sit down and say: this is where the problem is, this is what we have, and this is what we need.
We should be able to do that within 14 days.
Finally, what would you like to tell the people of Boki?
Chief Enu Caesar: We should not be afraid to speak about problems affecting us.
Boki is blessed with land, agriculture, hardworking people and investment opportunities. We should not allow insecurity to discourage development.
But government also needs to understand that security is the foundation for everything else.
If our people are not safe, businesses cannot properly operate. Farmers cannot confidently move their produce. Investors cannot feel comfortable.
We are not asking for anything impossible.
We are simply saying: protect Boki, support those protecting Boki, and let the people know that their safety matters.
That is the message.
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