There is palpable unrest and apprehension in Cross River State that could probably lead to a conflagration of spiral chains of unending commotion if drastic measures are not put in place to arrest this ugly incident by the security agencies in the state.
Cross Riverians at home; in diaspora, Nigerians and indeed many tourists in the state went to bed with a piece of unpalatable news that murdered their sleep fortnight ago about cult clashes in Calabar South; and the communal discrepancies between Ebom and Ebijakara in Abi local government area. Since then, those domains have been under siege by armed gangs of hoodlums, ruffians and kidnappers whose misbehaviour has led to the abduction of a labour leader in the state. Since then, fears have been our daily companions.
Historically, killing; rape and pillage had not been an integral part of the life in the city of Calabar nay Cross River State. This assertion was given credence when a former Inspector General of Police described the state as the most peaceful state in Nigeria. However, this prize the state prides itself seems to have been steadily eroded in recent times by the acts of urban insurgency and gangsterism.
The great Greek historian, Herodotus described the savaging scythians and Attila the Hun that brought pains to some parts of Poland: Germany, Russia and even some places of southeast Europe as those who skinned opponents to make coat , sawed off the top skulls to make drinking cups and drank the blood of their victims. One that is not widely read, might ignorantly wave it with a sleight of hand as mere hyperbole. I tell you for free that they all happened. And cultists in our dear state are doing similar things as mentioned.
The communities mentioned in the second paragraph have been viciously rocked by murderous incursions from the both warring villagers. Women, children, physically challenged and the aged have been moving in droves to unknown refuge for their dear lives as their villages remain sacked.
As if that is not enough, in Yala LGA, our traditional leaders failed to amicably settle the riff between Itega Okpudu and Okpame. It happened between Wanikade and Wanihem. In Boki, fighting among neighbouring communities is like a natural phenomenon. In Yakurr and Obubra, this crisis usually find expression there.
Educational institutions are not exempted. The state owned university (CRUTECH) has recorded unprecedented number of killings which are purely cult related "wahala". In fact, it appears as though they celebrate cultism there. Heads rolled and blood drenched the earth in each semester. These boys are more barbaric than even Attila the Hun. They amputate and behead their victims. The carnage in the last academic session gave many insomnia.
This evil that has swept through this once peaceful state has left many raped; killed, kidnapped, homeless and rustic. Life is now pitiably short, nasty, brutish and hellish — what a perfect descriptions of Hobbesian anarchy!
Threatening as the case is, my place of residence is not free from the effects of this menace. Medical, cosmetic, stationeries and barber shops here are now under lock and key once it is 1900GMT.
Sincerely, I would have watched without bating an eyelid since this borders on security and there are people saddled with the duty of maintaining law and order. Nevertheless, having gathered from sources of possible reprisal attacks during this yuletide by aggrieved goons, I am worried, disturbed and I am compelled to demand that the chief security officer of the state, Prof. (Sir) Benedict Ayade and his coercive apparatuses put more effort to totally get rid of these agents of the devil before we are ripped to shreds. However, I am not ignorant of the fact that the Nigeria Police Force in the state has nabbed some of these bad elements. Bravo!
I submit by calling on the people of Ebom and Ebijakara to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance. I call on our youths to shun gangsterism and other social vices and channel their energy to gainful ventures. I call for a national indaba on peaceful coexisting. I call for stringent penalty for criminals. I call on the national and state assemblies to promulgate legislations to criminalize all forms of cultism. Cultism is evil! Violence pays not!
Merry Christmas and happy new year in advance!
Comr. (Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
NDAF CRS PRO
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