- DSS arrests 2 suspects, hunts fleeing accomplices
Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu, has warned politicians and their sponsors against importing arms or financing violence in the state, declaring that no political ambition is worth the loss of innocent lives or disruption of the electoral process.
The warning followed the interception of a cache of weapons by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) along the Bekwarra–Ogoja axis, amid growing security concerns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Four suspects were reportedly trailed from northern Nigeria through Benue State into Cross River, where two were arrested, while two others allegedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Speaking through his deputy, Peter Odey, during the parade of the suspects and display of the recovered weapons, Otu warned that his administration would not tolerate any attempt to turn the state into a theatre of political violence.
“The peace of Cross River State is non-negotiable. No political ambition, personal interest or desperation for power is worth the life of any citizen.
“We will not allow anyone, regardless of status, political affiliation or connections, to import violence into our state or turn our communities into killing fields,” he declared.
The governor said preliminary investigations had raised concerns about a possible connection between the movement of the weapons and the prevailing political atmosphere, although the identities of any sponsors and the intended recipients had yet to be established.
He warned that the proliferation of illegal arms posed a serious threat to public safety, particularly as political activities gathered momentum ahead of next year’s elections.
“The discovery of these weapons is a serious security concern. Arms of this nature, if placed in the wrong hands, could be used to intimidate political opponents, terrorise communities, disrupt lawful political activities and inflict irreversible harm on innocent citizens.
“We will not sit idly by while anyone attempts to undermine the safety of our people,” he said.
Otu specifically cautioned politicians, their financiers and supporters against recruiting, arming or mobilising individuals to intimidate opponents or disrupt legitimate political activities.
“Politics must be a contest of ideas, character, vision and service, not a contest of weapons. Those who believe that they can gain political advantage through intimidation, criminality or the sponsorship of violence are gravely mistaken. The law will take its full course against anyone found culpable,” he warned.
The governor said investigations would extend beyond the arrested suspects to establish the origin of the weapons, those who financed their movement and the individuals or groups expected to receive them.
“The people who physically move weapons are only one part of the investigation.
“We must establish where these arms came from, who arranged their transportation, who financed the operation and who was expected to receive them. Anyone found to have participated in this criminal enterprise will be brought before the law,” he said.
He stressed that neither political influence nor personal connections would shield anyone found to have participated in the illegal arms movement.
“Our position is clear: nobody is above the law. We will not shield anyone because of political affiliation, social standing or relationship with persons in authority.
“If investigations establish that anyone sponsored, procured, transported or intended to deploy these weapons for criminal purposes, such a person will face the consequences prescribed by law,” he stated.
Otu commended the DSS and other security agencies for the interception and arrests, urging them to intensify intelligence gathering, track down the fleeing suspects and uncover any criminal network behind the operation.
He also called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies, assuring them of his administration’s determination to protect lives and property.
Although the state government expressed concern about possible political involvement, no politician or sponsor has been publicly identified in connection with the seized weapons, while investigations into their origin and intended destination are continuing.
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