Emmanuel Ogar|4 February 2016|6:10am
The facts are no longer in dispute that Calabar, the state capital of Cross River State is reputed and synonymous with great and positive feats. Sincerely, due to scarce time, I would not be extravagant with it in enumerating them here. Peradventure, that would be done another day when time and chance would permit. No doubt, Calabar is beautiful, neat, expensive, harmonious and perhaps safe. These and many other characteristics of this city gives me joy and I am proud of coming from Cross River State.
Years ago, this ancient city was styled secured and safest for human habitation in Nigeria by the then Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force, M.D. Abubakar due to its less crime rate and others surveillance yardsticks used. Delectably, one should not be told that the town was safe because it really was. Its safety of course was actually visible to the blind and indeed audible to the deaf. Not quite long, this unruffled resort seemed to have been besieged by men of the underworld. The most renowned is the Skolombo hoodlums. Members of this gangster includes street urchins, the destitutes and motor-park hustlers popularly called 'agbero' in local parlance.
They are equipped with weapons such as dagger; blade, guns, knife, scissors and any sharp object good for stabbing and slashing their unfortunate victims.
Majority of them are faithful members of surreptitious societies and cult groups in town. Their operational method is tactically dynamic. In the day, they are pickpockets; during the evening, they corner their victims in sharp corners or less busy area and dispose them of their valuables. At night, they are the daredevil hood niggers. Breaking and entering are their specialties. Most of the females victims ended up with broken hymen as the boys often have carnal knowledge of them. They are very fetishistic and superstitious. They hypnotize people with jujus gotten from necromancer or herbalist at Akpabuyo. They had the town under their control of recent until the governor, Prof. Ben Ayade constituted Operation Skolombo which was aimed at checkmating the menace of the social miscreants. Hence, the crux of this piece.
The protection of life and property of the citizens is one of the major duties of the government. And I believe this government is not resting on her oasis. They have done well on the aspect which is based on the synergy wired between her and the security forces geared at combatting crimes and social vices in the state to a considerable extent. However, much is still required. Drastic elimination is needed. This is dearly needed because fears has now become the daily companion of Calabar residents.
On Thursday 28, January 2016, at a close shave, God's mercy rescued me from the claws of thugs. How did it happen? My colleagues and I had a herculean task to perform at work. It was a must done job. We had crossed the Rubicon pretty late at the dead hours before boarding cab from Murtala Mohammed Highway to Calabar Road.
When we got to Diamond Bus stop, as usual, the policemen on duty were there checking automobile that ply that route. Just few metres to the checkpoint, the driver began decelerating. He politely requested for the N50.00 fare from us. I gave him the one I had. He squeezed it with his left hand and was prepared to slam it on the palm of the police officer. Fortunately, the officer was communicating through the radio and his colleagues were less concerned. So, he did not bother to halt us. He was so gallant and well kitted. Everybody admired him and thereafter, he became the topic of discussion. Some were saying it would had been better if he had being a soldier. I was so exhausted and muted.
At the Millennium Park, another set of officers were there. The driver was not as lucky as he was at this time. The policeman just placed his hand with his palm wide opened on the driver's door and swiftly, the ruffled N50.00 was glued to him and we drove past unchecked. Good job! We got to Total Filling Station opposite Mac Bite at about half past the hour of 2200GMT. I crossed to the supposed Bus Stop just opposite De Choice eatery and adjacent Anchor Point for me to enter another taxi to my residence. It was not dark. The light from the lampposts shone brightly and even a virtually impaired fellow could count the grain of sand at that time.
There at the Bus Stop, they were groups of boys cluttering a stationary car chatting excitedly in their kparakpo (local dialect). So, as I passed by, one of them called me to come but I gave him a deaf ear and walked few metres away from them. While I was standing there, it was as if the taxis' drivers had all gone to bed. Few minutes later one of them advanced towards me majestically. He was a vertically challenged young dude. His facial picture revealed a bloke that suffered a lot from enhanced interrogation in the correctional homes. He engaged me in unsolicited interaction as his clique watched for the next moves. I did not yield to any of his intimidating tactics. I was becoming disturbed because I had with me small cash; mobile phones and a parcel I just got from Jumia, an online shopping mall that fateful evening at work.
Finally, the chap yelled, "buy us squadron (spirit or gin, usually distilled beverages) mek we use am hold our side". " Nah twelve we dey…." , he explained. Should I react by screaming or take to my heels? I pondered within. In a nutshell, I gave them N400.00 which they scrambled to share. Then, I was let loose the hook.
But not for the grace, I knew not what would had happened. I might have escaped being robbed, what of others? People are complaining bitterly about this societal menace. Intel and investigation revealed that the following areas are the hotspots of Skolombo: Cultural Centre by Ministry of Information; Cultural Centre by Eco Bank, Total by Mac Bite, Anchor Point by De Choice, Post Office by Watt Market, Goldie by Bedwell etc. These areas should be kept under surveillance by the security operatives. Many residents of Calabar have been robbed and even killed by the activities of these hoodlums. During the yuletide, we heard of brazen cases of rapes and murder around Christmas village (botanical or zoo garden). Last month, a corpse was found along Goldie by Atu street. It was the handiwork of Skolombo.
Is crime reducing or on the increase? The state coercive apparatuses are not doing bad anyway, but they got to step up the bar. Security is no child's play. It is a serious business of every human being. Therefore, let us protect ourselves as the government rollout plans to drastically reducing crime. Calabar must be secured. Say no to Skolombo.
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko
Is a Physicist and freelance journalist. He coordinate Youth Alliance for Northern Cross River Dreams(YANCRiD) and Modern League of Classical Experimental Writers (MLCEW).
