- Okoi Obono-Obla claimed that the activities of cultists in various areas of Cross River could lead to the disintegration of society and an era of disastrous lawlessness
- The presidential aide claimed that the south south state had one of the highest kidnapping rates in the country so much so that averagely in Calabar, more than ten kidnappings take place daily
- He appealed to the governor to request that a crack team be put together by the various security agencies in the country to clamp down on cultists within the state and to investigate the murder of one Jude Iroegbu Junior
The Cross-River state governor Ben Ayade has been petitioned by Barrister Okoi Obono Obla, the senior special adviser to president Muhammadu Buhari on prosecution, over the activities of cultists in his village.
According to reports, Obla addressed the petition to the governor, while also copying Yemi Osinbajo, the acting president; the office of the national security adviser; the State Security Services HQ, and the Cross-River state police command.
NAIJ.com notes that the presidential aide called on the governor to put together a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the spate of violence and cult activities which have led to murders in various areas of the state.
According to Obla, the well-being and security of the residents of Obudu, Ogoja, Yakurr, Calabar-South Local Government Areas of the state, were being threatened by members of the Ayade government who he referred to as cultists.
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Lamenting over the increased state of insecurity arising from the activities of cult groups, Obla stated: “It has got so bad that in Ogoja the population went on rampage and raided the homes of suspected members of these cult/terror groups and unleashed ‘justice’ on them”
“This indeed is a dangerous trend that should not be tolerated by any government at all on account of the serious consequences of mischievous people cashing in on such trend to settle scores with perceived enemies.
“It could easily lead to the total disintegration of society and lead to a return to the era described by Thomas Hobbes, the 18th Century Legal Philosophy, when life was short, nasty and brutish.
“In all these the Government of Cross River State has been totally and completely ambivalent and indeed half-hearted and lukewarm in tackling this huge and ominous security problem which has assumed frightening, pandemic and endemic proportion.
“Apart from the high rate and incidence of cult/terror security challenges in Cross River State, the State regrettably has one of the highest kidnapping rates in the country so much so that averagely in Calabar more than ten kidnappings take place daily."
Obla also went further to list names of alleged cultists and their sponsors.
He stated: “Item Eno Obla is a notorious cultist and terrorist/murderer and is the head of the notorious and dreaded Axemen, a group that often terrorize people in Ugep.
“He is said to be under the sponsorship and protection of Honourable Bassey Eko Ewa, a member of the House of Representatives from the Yakurr Federal Constituency.
“He is also the “Commander’’ of the group that serves as Palace Guards to the Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubangha”
“Thereafter, hundreds of Axemen were mobilized in their hundreds armed with axes, automatic rifles, pistols and machetes to terrorize the natives of Ugep.
“These two cult groups, (Bargers and Axemen) in Ugep are a threat to the peace and security of the People of Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area.
“They have a stock pile of modern weaponry in their arsenal which they often use to unleash terror on the hapless people of Ugep and its environs”.
“The incident of 29th June, 2017, has caused palpable tension and fear in the Ugep Community and unless something is done there is a likelihood of reprisals and communal violence erupting in Ugep which is the second largest Urban City in Cross River State.
“It is instructive that the activities of these terror and cult groups (Axemen and Bargers) are not restricted to Ugep alone”
“There is undoubtedly a high rate of kidnapping and cult related violence and killings in Cross River State.
“I seriously fear that if the Government of Cross River State fails to take action now the entire state may sooner than later be consumed by an orgy of killings and murders never seen in the annals of the history of this State and indeed the country.
“In order to prevent a reprisal and or communal conflict from erupting in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State by a gang of cultists and terrorists, the Government must intervene immediately and decisively”.
“In the light of the above, I respectfully pray the Governor of Cross River State to request the inspector general of Police and the director general of State Security Services and comptroller general of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to immediately deploy/constitute a crack team of detectives/squads to investigate the brutal killing of Mr. Jude Iroegbu Junior on the 29th June, 2017, by a group of Axemen."
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that governor Ben Ayade of Cross River said that he was called by God to govern the state and provide the needed dividends of democracy to the people.
The governor made the statement while addressing thousands of his supporters who besieged the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar to welcome him on his arrival from Abuja.
Watch this NAIJ.com TV video of a 63year old woman who lost her son to cultists
