Locals in Calabar are extremely afraid that the next, highly anticipated Calabar Carnival on December 1st, may be impacted by the increasing unrest in Cross River State.
They voiced fear that the increasing frequency of kidnappings in the country's capital will eclipse this year's carnival. Continue Reading..
They insisted on prompt action from the government and security agencies to address the situation.
According to NAN, kidnappings in Calabar that target professionals including doctors, lawyers, teachers, and government personnel have happened almost daily.
The Nigerian Medical Association voted to call off its 40-day protest in response to the kidnapping of Professor Ekanem Ephraim, a neurologist who has been held captive for 115 days since July.
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.
"My position is that, in the event that the government is unable to give the unemployed the jobs they require, they ought to at least guarantee an environment for business to thrive. He said.
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 won'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.
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