- Claim some ex-militants are unrepentant
- Vow to resists their community’s reintegration
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Youths of Ikang Town in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State have vowed to resist the community’s reintegration of some ex-militants recently granted amnesty by the State government until they demonstrate convincing remorse over their past criminal activities against the people.
Accordingly, they have pleaded with the government to exercise restrain in implementing the amnesty because some of the ex-militants are yet to demonstrate genuine regrets and fully shake off their habitual criminal tendencies.
The youths, who conveyed their position in a resolution adopted at the end of a Town Hall meeting in Ikang Town, said based on findings and available intelligence, some of the ex-militants have reportedly returned to the Creeks to reposition themselves for the next phase of the amnesty programme
The Position Paper, read by the youth leader, Prince Linus Asukwo Bassey, stated that some of the ex-militants have benefited from the State government amnesty programme more than twice but yet refused to turn a new leaf.
They narrated a particular incident where an ex-militant, who was apprehended while on alleged robbery expedition and handed over to the Security agencies escaped from lawful custody and has since been calling with threats that they should be prepared as his gang will soon be coming for their revenge mission.
The youths said in order to avoid such threats and also effectively repel any possible vengeful reprisal attack, the State government should ensure proper profiling of these ex-militants while also empowering vulnerable Communities with boats and motorcycles to enable them comb criminal hideouts in the creeks as well as patrol the affected areas at nights to forestall any form of surprise attack by criminal elements.
They noted that as an international border town, Ikang Town has unfortunately become a ghost of its former vibrant and bubbling self, adding that compared to the past when on market days, traders came in from Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea and other countries to carry out trading activities.
The youths lamented that due to the unwholesome activities of these self-acclaimed militants, who kidnap people and seize their goods along the creeks, most traders from other countries no longer feel safe to visit Ikang Town on market days due to existing insecurity that threatens lives and property in the communities.
Their worries notwithstanding, the youths are full of praise for Governor Bassey Edet Otu on his tremendous achievements in just two years in office, especially by ensuring that electricity supply and solar panel street lights are extended to Ikang Town.
However, they appealed to the governor to remember his pledge of remodelling and reconstructing the Ikang Town market while also upgrading it to an international fish market.
Meanwhile, the youths have extended appreciation to their political leaders, including Senator Dame Florence Ita Giwa, Senator Asukwo Ekpenyong, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Ironbar and the State House of Assembly member, Hon Bassey Eyo, noting their selfless contributions to the development of Ikang Town and Bakassi Local Government Area in general.
