Robbers armed with dangerous weapons reportedly attacked residents of Imoh Street, Afokang Road in Calabar, on Thursday night, leaving some wounded.
This was a few hours after Governor Bassey Otu had warned armed robbers and other criminals in Calabar and other parts of the state that he was ready for them with the launch of a security outfit called, Operation Okwok.
The governor had even donated 30 vehicles to strengthen security activities in the state.
One of the victims of the house to house robbery is a HND student of College of Health Technology Technology, Calabar, Alice Dickson, studying environmental health sciences.
Alice narrated that the robbers arrived in the night, well armed, using heavy irons to hit their doors and pushed the front door down.
She further narrated that they used torchlights, they manhandled her and her sisters, collected the money she withdrew earlier in the day to pay her school fees, and they collected their phones, and other valuables.
Launching the Operation Okwok security outfit, Governor Otu had reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security in the State.
The outfit is to replace the Operation Apakwu which his predecessor, Ben Ayade instituted.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Gill Nsa, said, it marks the first phase of a larger plan to deploy a total of 100 vehicles to enhance security operations across the state.
The joint task force comprises personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police, Air Force, Navy, Department of State Services, DSS, Immigration Service, and Correctional Service.
The statement said Governor Otu emphasized his administration’s zero-tolerance to crime.
According to Otu, Cross River State is safer than ever, cases of kidnapping have declined significantly, and robbery is nearly nonexistent.
He warned that anyone who threatens the peace of the state will face the full weight of the law.