Niger Delta
Tech, Gadget Dealers Protest Incessant Burglary In Calabar
Tech and Gadget resellers in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, have protested alleged incessant burglary attacks on their business premises within the last three months .
The Tide’s source reports that the dealers who were armed with placards of various inscriptions described the robberies as an attack on their businesses and source of livelihood.
They said within the last three months they have loss about N700 million due to the attacks on their shops and business premises.
They appealed to the State Government and relevant security agencies to save them from the incessant attacks, saying about seven shops have been attacked in the last three months.
According to the Spokesman of the dealers, Mr Paschal Obi, “we no longer feel safe. In three months about seven of our shops have been bugled and we have lost not less than N700 million collectively.
”These monies largely come from bank loans. So, government should come to our aid by providing security. We pay all manner of taxes and levies and should be protected by the government.”
Also speaking, the CEO of George Gadgets, George Nwosu, said his shop was burgled twice in 2024.
He said the matter was reported to the Police Command in the state, but nothing had come out of it yet.
He decried the poor level of insecurity in the metropolis and called for the State Government’s intervention.
In the same vein, Okoro Benjamin, another victim, said two of his shops were burgled last December 10 and 11 and that goods worth more than N400 million were lost.
He joined his colleagues to plead for security, saying that most of them were now running out of business.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Irene Ugbo, said the Command was investigating the robberies and would surely get the robbers.
She also disclosed that as a temporary measure, the Command would put an eye along that axis of the metropolis and put in a place a stationary patrol team along the area for improved security.
The Tide’s source reports that some of the placards carried by the protesters had inscription such as ‘’businesses cannot function in an unsafe environment”.
Others had “my prince, our gadget shops are shutting down”, “Phones and gadget shops are shutting down”, “There are no patrol teams in the city of Calabar from 12 am to 6 am, so criminals have an easy ride on us”.
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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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