edet EDET
In bid to tackle the menace of criminality that has engulfed the once peaceful city of Eket, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Frank Archibong has vowed to sieve out those who hide under the guise of motor cyclist, popularly known as “Okada” to perpetrate heinous and nefarious acts in the local government.
Archibong who was enraged going by the rising rate of crime in the Eket polity, declared zero tolerance to every activity that has an affiliation to criminality yesterday during a security meeting with all the Okada riders operating within the confines of the local government.
He stated that after meeting with the security agencies stationed in the local government, there was a great need to gather all the Okada riders, who is alleged to constitute 90% of crime alongside the security agencies to negotiate a compromise.
Hon. Frank frowned that few weeks ago a Corp Member was attacked and killed by suspected robbers in an attempt to snatch his phone by men on motorcycle.
He also noted that snatching of phones is becoming an everyday occurrence in the local government, and that so many people are hospitalized because of injuries inflicted on them by these criminals, either by machete cut or gun shots, all by men on Okada.
He stressed that residents of Eket have placed several calls for the abolition of Okada, noting that a lot of crime committed within the evening hours of everyday is carried out by men on Okada.
“Everybody cannot be wrong; the call for the abolition of Okada in Eket made by almost everybody is a very serious matter that must be looked into”
“Of recent, a Corp member, who had labored through the academic walls, was shot dead by those criminals who went on Okada to collect his phone, if he was to be your brother, will you be happy?”
“We have done very thorough assessment, we must rise against crime in this society, and we must know who the true Okada riders are, so that we can be able to sieve or decipher those who perpetrate crime in the guise of Okada riders.”
His Excellency does not want you to suffer, because if a ban is placed on Okada, most of you who are genuine “Okada riders” will suffer, that is why he has urged me not to ban bikes, but to find a way in creating a synergy with Okada riders to eradicate criminality” He- added
The ALGON Chairman however, gave the Okada Riders 3 Months to work assiduously with security operatives to sanitize the local government and get rid of criminal elements or be banned.
Reacting on the issue, the Eket Divisional Police Officer, DSP Zuara Bello said that Security is everybody’s business and not for the security personnel alone.
Bello stated that 99% of the crime perpetuated in the local government is carried out by Okada riders, and that Most of those arrested are not even indigenes of Eket but from neighboring local governments.
He called on the real Okada riders to triple the number of security operatives that are working in Eket (as security operatives cannot be everywhere) by providing useful information to get the culprits apprehended.
The DPO also announced to the OKADA riders that the police had intercepted 20 motorcycles from criminals, and they division is still in possession of 6 that hasn’t been claimed, he urged those whose motorcycle was stolen to come for identification.
Also speaking in the same page, the Area Commander, ACP Polycarp Emeka said his coming to Eket is not just to fight crime but to also fight corruption.
Polycarp further called for a synergy between the Okada riders and security officers, noting that in cleansing the area, Okada are very important to the police.
He said the Area Command is open for everyone with useful information.
Responding on the issue, the Chairman of the Okada union, Mr. Samuel Peter said they are at the receiving end of the whole situation.
Peter said he is thankful to the Executive Chairman for meeting with them to proffer solutions to the challenge of crime in the area.
He said they are ready to liaise with the government and security personnel’s to bring an end to crime in Eket and as such, the government should leave the task for them.
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