Calabar locals have expressed grave fear that the renowned annual Calabar Carnival, which is set for December 1, could be affected by the growing insecurity in Cross River State.
They expressed their concern that the carnival this year would be overshadowed by the rising number of kidnappings in the nation’s capital.
They demanded that the security services and the government act quickly to resolve the situation.
NAN reports that kidnappings targeting professionals such as physicians, attorneys, educators, and government officials have occurred in Calabar virtually every day.
In response to the kidnapping of Professor Ekanem Ephraim, a neurologist who has been kept captive for 115 days since July, the Nigerian Medical Association decided to end its 40-day protest.
According to Dr. Felix Archibong, head of the NMA, kidnappers have rendered the state inhospitable for its residents. He went on to say that investors and travelers who were going to the carnival were at risk because of the issue.
This is the status of affairs, and it is unfortunate that our colleague remains in detention after 115 days.
“We are making every effort not to use industrial action as a substitute for pressing the government and security services to honor their commitments,” he said.
One local, Abel Achor, encouraged the government to foster a prosperous business climate that may create jobs and blamed the increase in kidnapping incidents on economic difficulties.
He stated, “My position is that, in the event that the government is unable to give the unemployed the jobs they need, they should at the very least guarantee an atmosphere in which businesses can prosper.”
Bassey Otu, the state governor, has publicly denounced kidnappings and offered incentives for information that results in an arrest. Nevertheless, the locals argue that denunciations alone will not put an end to this terrible practice.
The technology is able to track out kidnappers’ whereabouts. I’d already given the criminals my pardon. Few people emerged to give up their weapons.
I don’t consider anything to be given. I’ve made the decision to fully commit to them. They will not be able to live in harmony if they don’t let others.
They’re one of us. Therefore, the public needs to assist in providing information about them, the governor stated.
Suspects have been detained, according to state Commissioner of Police Gyogon Grimah, but more needs to be done to reduce unrest before the carnival in December.
NAN