Police beef up security for crime-free Calabar carnival

The Police Command in Cross River has assured the people of effective policing in all parts of the state during the annual Calabar carnival, which kicked off on Friday.

The assurance is contained in a statement issued in Calabar by the command’s Spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, and made available to our reporter on Monday.

Ugbo stated that officers had been deployed to man recreation centers and critical infrastructure across the state, especially in the capital city.

According to her, the measure is to ensure effective policing during the festival.

She added that the Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, had ordered aggressive vehicular and foot patrols within the Calabar metropolis before, during and after the festive season.

The command warned all “potential” dealers and users of fireworks to desist from the illegitimate venture.

The statement quoted the commissioner to have appealed to parents and guardians to restrain their children and wards from patronising dealers of all kinds of fireworks because of the current security situation nationwide.

“Residents are warned to be wary of some dastardly criminal elements operating in motorcycles to rob people within Calabar and its environs.

“The command has launched an onslaught against this dare-devil gangs operating in the state.

“We are resolute and will not fail to deal decisively with hoodlums, political thugs and all forms of illegal or unapproved processions intended to breach the peace we enjoy in the state .

“We will also be invoking the extant state and federal laws accordingly,” Ugbo stated.

The statement also appealed to residents, community and youth leaders, traditional institutions and clergymen to cooporate with security agencies by providing actionable intelligence and prompt reportage of any suspicious movements in their areas.