We’re flushing out criminals in C/River, says Ayade

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River weekend declared that criminals were being flushed out to maintain the peaceful and calm atmosphere in the state, in what should boost investors’ confidence.

Ayade was at the Ikanga waterfront in Bakassi local government area, as part of proactive measures to check criminal activities, shortly after inspecting the reconnaissance operation embarked on by officers and men of the joint military task force in the area.

He said that with the advent of his signature projects including the construction of the seaport, there was need to clean up some black spots through the presence and combat-ready joint military task force.

“The Nigeria military, as you can see, is very strong, and the military operation is combat ready to flush out criminals that may want to use any of our communities as hideouts”, the governor said, adding, “I am impressed, the community is excited and the bad boys are running away from Calabar.”

Governor Ayade who was accompanied by his deputy, Ivara Esu, affirmed that “Cross River can never be a safe haven for criminals. It was for this reason that we recently inaugurated operation Skolombo, geared towards positioning the state as a no-hiding place for criminals.”

Ayade also disclosed that through the recent operations, about 14 militia camps have been dislodged, adding that the exercise would be sustained to enable investors take advantage of the serene environment so created in the state to invest without fear or intimidation.

Also present at the operation were state security adviser (SSA) to the governor, Jude Ngaji, and heads of the army, air force, navy, and the commissioner of police in the state.

Highlights of the recce operation were the display of military gun boats and aircraft on the water ways, as well as the chanting of victory songs by the joint military task force operating in the area.

MIKE ABANG