Hunger Protest: Quietness In Calabar As Residents Remain Indoors
- Security operatives harass journalists, activists
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Palpable fear gripped residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital as most of them remained indoors as the nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance flagged off on Thursday.
Major streets in the capital city were deserted with business premises securely locked to forestall sudden attack by hoodlums, parading themselves as protesters’.
Forefront News noted that the popular and ever-busy Watt market, located in the heart of the city, was a ghost of its usual nature as traders stayed back at home despite assurances by the state government that people should go about their normal businesses.
The assurances came on heels of strategic engagement between security agencies and relevant stakeholders aimed at guaranteeing the safety of lives and property across the State.
Also, the popular Bedwell Street, housing the thriving spare part business operated mainly by Igbo traders, was devoid of the usual busy aura with movement equally restricted around the area.
This is as commercial vehicle drivers also deserted the streets while the Banks, petrol stations, fast food eateries and beer parlours were also under lock and key.
Interestingly, the only section of the City that bubbled and came alive with activities remained the popular Hausa settlement called Bogobiri, where the locally-spiced Suya meat is sold.
With the Suya sellers going about their normal business, fun seekers and their partners, undeterred by potential threats from the planned protest, thronged the area without any restraint to patronize the various stands.
Head of the Suya arcade in Calabar, Yusuf Ibrahim, who volunteered his thoughts on why they were not concerned with the security threat posed by the call for a nationwide protest, praised the State government for taking proactive steps to assure residents that adequate security measures have been put in place to checkmate any form of breakdown of law and order
Ibrahim told Forefront News that; “A few days ago, we played host to government officials who came to assure us of our safety and we were convinced of their resolve to keep the promise made.”
He further said; “since Governor Bassey Edet Otu came into office, his approach to governance is completely remarkable and we have no doubt about his message and assurances that we are safe to carry out their business activities with any fear of molestation by anyone.”
However, our Correspondent noticed heavy security presence around sensitive locations, while security vans were also seen patrolling the city.
Security Agents Arrest Journalists, Activists
In a related development, competent sources confirmed that security operatives beat, handcuffed and ferried some journalists and activists away to an unknown locations in Calabar, Cross River State over the participation in the protest.
It was gathered that among those arrested was the managing editor of online newspaper, CrossRiverWatch, Mr Jonathan Ugbal as they fraternized with some activists around the popular Mary Slessor Roundabout in Calabar.
Eyewitness account said a handful of protesters had gathered around the area on Thursday being the first day of the 10-day planned nationwide protest when the security operatives stormed the location to disperse them.
However, a Human rights activist, James Ibor, while reacting to the development, described the arrest of journalists and the activists as “condemnable and reprehensible”.
Forefront News noted that Ugbal had, while monitoring the protest in the morning, posted a video showing that the surrounding roads to the Mary Slessor roundabout were deserted.
