By Oluwatosin Maliki
Indigenes of Calabar have expressed their worries over the rising insecurity witnessed in Cross River State, while noting that it may disrupt the famous annual Calabar Carnival slated for December 1st, 2023.
The rate of abduction over the years have skyrocketed in Cross River State, kidnappings have become rampant in the capital city.
The locals expressed their fears that this might have a negative impact on the year’s carnival.
To this effect, they called on the federal government as well as security agencies to urgently address the crisis.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Calabar has witnessed almost daily abductions, mainly targeting professionals like; doctors, lawyers, professors and government officials.
This current situation led the Nigerian Medical Association to call off a 40-day strike over the kidnapping of Professor Ekanem Ephraim, a neurologist held captive for 115 days since July.
Meanwhile, NMA chairman, Dr. Felix Archibong, explained that the state has become uninhabitable for citizens due to kidnappers. He further added that the crisis equally pose dangers for investors and tourists planning to attend the carnival.
He stated, “This is the situation in the state, and it is regrettable that our colleague is still in captivity after 115 days.
“We are trying so hard not to make industrial action, another alternative to getting the government and security agencies to keep to their promises,” he added.
Similarly, a resident, identified as Abel Achor, also blamed the rising abduction cases on economic hardship, while urging the government to enable a thriving business climate that can provide jobs.
“My stand is that if the government cannot provide the needed jobs for the unemployed, they should at least ensure an environment for businesses to thrive,” he noted.
Additionally, the state governor, Bassey Otu, has strongly condemned the heinous crime; he announced rewards for information leading to arrests of kidnappers. Although, locals stressed that mere condemnations are not enough to tackle the issue on ground.
“The technology can detect whereabouts of kidnappers. I had earlier granted the criminals amnesty. Only a handful came out to surrender their guns”.
“I am not taking anything for granted. I have decided to go all out for them. If they won’t allow others to live in peace, they, too, won’t”.
“They live amongst us and so, the people must help to volunteer information about them,” the governor said.
Reacting to the menace, the state Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, said that suspects have been arrested. Hence, more action is required to curb insecurity before the carnival in December.