The Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining the fight against crime and insecurity, calling for stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, communities and citizens to preserve the peace and stability of the state.
The Governor gave the assurance during the Cross River State Security Summit held in Calabar with the theme, “Cross River State Unite Against Terror,” where stakeholders from government, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, the media and private sector converged to develop strategies for strengthening security and preventing emerging threats.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, who represented Governor Otu described security as the foundation upon which development, investment and improved living standards are built, stressing that maintaining peace must be a collective responsibility beyond government and security institutions.
He said the summit came at a critical time when security conversations must take practical measures, capable of protecting lives, property and the economic future of Cross River State.
The Governor recalled that the state had previously endured difficult periods marked by kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes, which created fear among residents, affected businesses, discouraged investors and led to the relocation of some professionals.
He noted that the situation has changed significantly through the proactive security measures introduced by his administration and the cooperation of citizens and security stakeholders.
He highlighted the establishment and strengthening of Operation Okwok, the deployment of operational support to security agencies and improved coordination among the Army, Police, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services, Immigration Service, Correctional Service and the State Security Service as key measures that have improved security across the state.
According to him, the interventions have helped to dismantle criminal networks, facilitate the surrender and disarmament of militants and strengthen the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to threats.
The Governor also pointed to the deployment of security vehicles, logistics support and the launch of the State Security Network as further demonstrations of government’s determination to safeguard residents.
While acknowledging the progress recorded, Governor Otu warned that the gains must not lead to complacency, insisting that sustained vigilance and cooperation remain essential to keeping criminal elements away from the state.
He urged participants at the summit to provide honest assessments, share practical ideas and develop solutions that could be implemented at state, local government and community levels.
The Governor called on security agencies to maintain professionalism and strengthen partnership with citizens, assuring that his administration would continue to support initiatives aimed at preserving peace and security.
Earlier, the State Director of the Department of State Services, Mr. Oluwole Faluyi, stressed the need for sustained collaboration among all segments of society in tackling terrorism, violent extremism and other security threats.
Faluyi said security summits should not be treated as isolated events but should serve as continuous platforms for awareness creation, intelligence gathering and coordinated action.
He advocated for a stronger institutional framework to sustain security engagements, including possible legislation and the establishment of a security commission to drive continuous collaboration among stakeholders.
The DSS Director urged religious leaders to promote peace, tolerance and respect for human dignity while discouraging hate speech and violent extremism.
He also called on community leaders and young people to reject drug abuse, criminal activities and violent tendencies, urging responsible use of social media and greater participation in community development and peace-building initiatives.
He appealed to journalists to embrace responsible reporting by avoiding sensationalism that could create unnecessary panic or undermine public confidence.
The DSS Director noted that Cross River’s international boundary with Cameroon makes effective border security, lawful cross-border cooperation and community vigilance critical in preventing infiltration by criminal and extremist groups.
He maintained that collective action, timely intelligence sharing and cooperation with security agencies would strengthen the state’s resilience against insecurity, encourage investment and tourism, improve public confidence and preserve Cross River’s reputation as a peaceful destination.
The summit ended with renewed commitment from stakeholders to sustain partnerships, strengthen community participation and work collectively towards keeping Cross River State safe and secure.
