By Nsa Gill
There is a saying that states that if you allow a lie to fester against you without correcting it, you run the risk of losing your dignity.
A middle-aged man, posing as an activist and impersonating a journalist, recently made a false statement about Cross River State, asserting that Calabar, the state capital, is a hub for criminal activity. He lied! He cited isolated, petty crime incidents to draw incorrect and faulty conclusions.
The security situation in Calabar and Cross River State has never been better. The dedication of Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the Cross River State Police Command to safeguarding the populace is top-notch, as evidenced by proactive crime-fighting strategies and successful efforts to reduce criminal activities.
As evidenced by the thrilling security situations in many parts of the state, security personnel are not only diligently working behind the scenes, but the government is also well-equipped with the necessary tools for the job.
For instance, Governor Otu’s administration has since pacified volatile areas like Bakassi, Akpabuyo, and Calabar South Local Government Areas. Law enforcement operations have rendered these areas inhospitable and impregnable to criminal elements.
The Otu administration has also held criminals of various hues, including fraudulent activists and blackmailers, accountable. The days when blackmailers turned Cross River State’s government into cash cows, held them hostage, and milked them dry have passed.
In essence, there have been instances where certain individuals, known for deceitful practices and fraudulent activities under the guise of activism, have alleged personal property theft and then publicly demanded compensation from the governor.
However, Governor Otu, who is focused, visionary, and committed to serving the people of Cross River State with the fear of God, has refused to bow to these baals because their claims and demands lack credibility.
The bottom line is that the overall security situation in Calabar and across the state remains robust, solid, and encouraging.
Recent assessments by independent rating agencies returned Cross River State as the second-best most safe, secure, and conducive state in Nigeria for conducting business. Following closely behind is Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Governor Otu’s recent initiatives, such as the procurement of surveillance vehicles for security purposes and the stern warning issued to traditional leaders against sheltering individuals of questionable character, signpost the governor’s resoluteness in denying criminals a foothold and securing his people against undesirable elements.
The city of Calabar and the entirety of Cross River State have always been synonymous with peace and a haven for tourists and potential investors.
Governor Otu is working to restore this elegant feature that the state has been known for through his investment in security, his unwavering commitment to rooting out criminals from the state, and his uncompromising stance against criminal and abhorrent behaviours.
Security is everyone’s responsibility. Instead of celebrating or exaggerating isolated crimes, citizens should work together with the government and security agencies to combat criminals and prevent crimes.
The collaborative efforts of the government, law enforcement agencies, citizens, and community leaders to maintain law and order, fight criminals, maintain security standards, and curb deviant criminal activities are critical to keeping the state safe.
The ongoing implementation of various measures, including regular State Security Council meetings, security operations, community outreach, and the integration of sophisticated technologies like artificial intelligence, underscores the commitment to enhancing security within the state.
Residents and visitors alike must cooperate with security forces, report any suspicious incidents, and adhere to safety protocols to preserve the peaceful environment in Cross River State.
Naysayers’ bile and ghoulish ranting notwithstanding, this is self-evident: Given the foregoing, when juxtaposed with many other states across the country, Cross River remains an oasis of safety—secure and conducive.
Indeed, similar to other global cities, Calabar occasionally experiences isolated incidents of misbehaviour by deviants and petty thieves. However, these incidents are not indicative of the true picture of the city of Calabar or the administration of Governor Bassey Otu.
In the past, crime records were a concern to residents, but they have never been the defining feature of everyday life in Calabar. Since the advent of the present administration, criminals have been receiving bloody noses, and isolated crimes have been on a downward decline.
The resultant effect of this is that residents of the city can now drive in and out of their homes without entertaining the fear of marauders and kidnappers lurking around the corner to strike.
Residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and equally, nightlife in Calabar is once again booming.
Even pessimists and chronic critics admit that more than ever before, Cross River, particularly its serene and beautiful capital city, Calabar, is experiencing unprecedented security and safety.
Gill is the Chief Press Secretary to the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
