The Cross River State Police Command has frustrated the efforts of some alleged militants in bringing their protest from Akpabuyo/Bakassi local government areas of the state into Calabar, the state capital.
The militants are protesting the alleged levity with which the state government was treating them since the “surrender” of their arms in November 2018.
The suspected militants planned a march to Calabar from their location in Esighi in Bakassi local government area of the state, but the state Police Command dispatched officers to cordon them off.
Speaking to newsmen on phone on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulkadir Jimoh said the militants were aiming at taking their protest to the city of Calabar and Police got the information and had to ensure that the protest does not take place.
“We got information that the militants were going to protest over non-payment of their allowances and we had to take proactive measures to prevent the break-down of law and order. My men are on the street to ensure that the state is safe for everybody,” the Commissioner said.
He nevertheless appealed to the state government to assist the police with operational vans to enable the Police tackle crime in the state.
“We have been able to reduce crime and criminality in the state since I resumed office, but we need more operational vehicles to enable my men to comb all nooks and crannies of the state,” he said.
