Operation Akpakwu Sacks Kidnappers' Den In Calabar

Cross River Government has demolished a building belonging to a suspected kidnapper in Calabar, the state capital.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the buildings were demolished by the state security outfit, Operation Akpakwu.

The outfit is made up of the navy, air force, police, army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and special advisers to the state government on security.

Henry Okokon, the Security Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade (Southern Senatorial District), said after the exercise that it was one of the ways of chasing criminals out of the state.

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Okokon said that the state government placed a premium on the security of lives and property, hence, the need to fight all forms of criminality.

“This is part of the activities of Operation Akpakwu, a special force set up by Gov. Ayade to fight crime, especially kidnapping.

“This demolition is ongoing. The governor has warned that anyone involved in any form of criminality, or any landlord harboring any criminal should desist from it.

“The bungalow that was demolished belonged to an individual who has been caught in the act of kidnapping, while the brothel was demolished for housing underage persons for prostitution and other illegal activities.

“This is a warning signal to everybody. Whosoever is involved in crime of any form should desist from it,’’ Okokon said.

He said that the security outfit got a court order to demolish the buildings in line with the state Homeland Security law.

He urged businessmen in the state to go about their lawful businesses, giving the assurance that the state government would do its best to protect them against criminals.