Cross River State joint security task force, code-named Operation Akpakwu has demolished a standard hotel in the outskirt of Calabar metropolis believed to be in the business of harbouring suspected kidnappers who have been terrorizing the State.
The operation which is part of the ongoing onslaught to checkmate the insecurity situation that became alarming in the state was carried out on Saturday, January 23, 2021, by a combined team led by the State Security Adviser, (South) to the Governor, Henry Okokon.
Okokon told journalists after the demolition that most of the kidnap cases recorded in Calabar were planned and coordinated from the hotels and brothels including some residential apartment.
The name of the demolished hotel is “Save side hotel” located around 8miles, at the outskirts of the state capital.
He reiterated that the state governor had called on landlords, hotel, and other hospitality facilities to ensure they know their tenants and also get complete details of their guests to avoid been caught in the web as accomplices in the fight against crime especially Kidnapping in the state.
The Security Adviser explained that the Homeland Security Bill which was signed into law by Governor Ben Ayade clearly stated that “anybody who aid, abet and harbour a criminal is also guilty of the crime.
He noted that residents of the area where the demolished hotel is, we’re actually living in fear because of the harassment from the suspected kidnappers who took over the hotel for illegal activities.
His words:” The demolition exercise is an ongoing process, it is part of the activities of Operation Akpakwu that was set up to fight criminality in the state, especially kidnapping.
“The governor had warned landlords who are harbouring criminals to desist from doing so. Therefore anybody found to be harbouring, abetting or aiding crime, must definitely be held responsible.
“This hotel is one of the buildings that have been harbouring criminals and the government has decided to bring it down.
“Ths is a warning signal to all, and I think everybody should be aware of this. The general public should be aware that security is everyone’s business.
“I want to state that all legal procedures were taken before this building was demolished. The police have equally done their investigation, that is why we have the Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel here on the ground,” he said.
He maintained that a thorough investigation was carried out by security operatives about the hotel harbouring suspected kidnappers before it was demolished.
Source: The Nation
