Bakassi Youths urge  Gov. Otu to tackle sea pirates, thieves in C’River 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

Youths from Ikang town in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State have appealed to the Cross River State governor, Prince Bassey Otu to assist them with speed boats and motorcycles.

This request aims to help combat sea pirates and other criminal elements troubling  riverine and upland communities in Bakassi.

The community youths made the appeal during a town hall meeting that took place at Ikang Town council hall art the weekend in Bakassi.

A position paper read  in  Bakassi town council hall yesterday by the community youth leader, Prince Linus Asuqwo- Bassey, stated that lives of youth leaders are now on the line due to the fight which they launched against criminal characters in the area.

He stated that the speed boats and motor cycles will assist them go after criminal elements hiding in the creeks as well as patrol the upland communities at nights to forestall any form of emergency attack.

The youth leaders stated  that even though their lives seems to be at  risk due to the fight against criminality, they are determined  to go after those  perpetrating  atrocities along the waterways and upland communities in the area.

 Citing an instance where youth council  leaders had  received several calls and text messages, threatening them of reprisal attacks by ex militants that  wanted to  benefit more than twice from the state government’s  amnesty programme without  minding if others had benefited from the Programme. 

They  lamented how traders from  neighbouring Cameroon and Equitorial Guinea, who used to visit ikang international market on weekly basis for trading activities suddenly stopped, for fear of being kidnap by  self acclaimed militants who kidnap and seize their goods along the creeks.

The youths  cited  a particular incident where an ex militant apprehended while on alleged robbery operation was caught by the community youths and  handed over to security agents and was allowed to escaped from police custody.

The youth leaders vowed to restraint ex militants recently granted amnesty by the state government from being reintegrated into the community until they show  remorse on their past criminal activities.

“We are cautious about reintegrating ex-militants granted amnesty until they show remorse for past criminal activities”. He stated.

He averred that their stand is based on findings that some of the ex militants have returned to the creeks to reposition themselves for the next phase of amnesty programme.

“We appreciate Gov Otu for extending electricity and solar energy light to ikang twin. We appealed for remodeling and upgrading of Ikang  twin market into an international fish market”. Youth leader stated.

The youths leadership extended their appreciation to all their political leaders to include Senator Florence Ita Giwa , Senator Asukwo Ekpenyong , The Chief of staff to the governor, Emmanuel Ironbar and their House of Assembly member Bassey  Asuquo.