Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has warned politicians and their alleged sponsors against the use of illegal arms to advance political interests, stressing that his administration will not tolerate actions capable of threatening public safety, peace and the electoral process. The warning follows the interception of a cache of…...
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has warned politicians and their alleged sponsors against the use of illegal arms to advance political interests, stressing that his administration will not tolerate actions capable of threatening public safety, peace and the electoral process.
The warning follows the interception of a cache of firearms by security operatives along the Bekwarra–Ogoja axis. Four suspects were reportedly trailed from northern Nigeria through Benue State into Cross River, with two arrested while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Reacting to the development through his Deputy, Peter Odey, the governor said political ambition must not become a justification for violence, intimidation or the loss of innocent lives.
Odey said preliminary investigations suggested that the movement of the weapons into the state might be linked to the prevailing political atmosphere. He stressed that the circumstances surrounding their transportation required thorough investigation by the relevant security agencies.
The Deputy Governor warned that weapons of this nature could be used to intimidate political opponents, terrorise communities, and disrupt lawful political activities if they fell into the wrong hands.
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He maintained that the state government would not treat the discovery as an isolated security incident, noting that investigations must establish the source of the firearms, those responsible for their movement, their intended recipients and any possible sponsors.
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According to him, the arrested suspects would be charged to court, while efforts would continue to identify other individuals connected to the alleged operation.
Odey also stressed that nobody would be shielded from prosecution on account of political affiliation, public office, social standing or personal connections if investigations established their involvement in criminal activities.
He urged politicians and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and within the law, warning against the recruitment, arming or mobilisation of individuals for violent purposes.
The Deputy Governor called on political actors to embrace peaceful competition and allow citizens to make their choices without intimidation or threats to their safety.
He assured residents that the Otu administration remained committed to protecting lives and property, maintaining public order and safeguarding the electoral process. He also urged members of the public to report credible information about suspicious movements or activities to the appropriate security agencies.
Deputy Gov commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies for their role in the operation, urging them to sustain intelligence-led efforts and pursue all leads in the investigation.