Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has disclosed that the state has acquired a technology that will identify the whereabouts of kidnappers in any part of the state.
In recent times, kidnapping and armed robbery had become rife in parts of the state.
Governor Oti said his government has invested substantially to stem the heightened insecurity that plagued the state before he assumed power on 29 May 2023.
He spoke at the weekend about how he has decided to clamp down on kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers since many have resumed to take advantage of the window of amnesty he granted when he came on board.
He said the technology will arrive the state within the week, adding that it will make it practically impossible for perpetrators of crimes such as kidnapping or armed robbery to escape.
The governor stated that within three months his government has been able to return peace in Akpabuyo and Bakassi LGAs which were no-go areas because of kidnappers and armed robbers.
He confirmed that the entire Calabar creeks which were the dens of kidnappers have since been combed and bombarded from the air so that the criminals can no longer hide away from the eyes of the law.
“The technology which will arrive the state shortly will complement the security agencies to make the state unsafe for kidnappers.
“The technology can detect whereabouts of kidnappers. I earlier have 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 wont 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.
“We had to declare curfew in Bakassi and Akpabuyo LGAs where the criminals ‘ruled’. Today I am happy to say that the bad guys have been rooted out and the people can sleep in their houses in peace.”
The governor stated that because of 100 per cent attention given to the challenge posed by insecurity, crime rate has reduced in the state capital in particular.
Over the weekend, too, the Assistant Inspector General of police for zone six command, Jonathan Towuru in a meeting with Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Owan-Eno disclosed that they are synergysing with the state government to deploy intelligence to properly secure all parts of the state.
He directed the state commissioner of police to beef up security.