27 October 2020
The Executive Governor of Cross River state, His Excellency Sen. Prof. Benedict Ayade, has decried the wanton destruction and looting of the Calabar International Conference Center, CICC NEGROIDHAVEN can say.
Ayade who said he was pained at the sight of the destroyed international conference facility expressed shock at the level of carnage. The governor said: 'I am shocked that almost every single thing was destroyed. From the chillers, cooling system, audio systems, to rugs, tiles everything being picked in such a way and manner that is beyond natural. And I don't think this is an expression of hunger anymore. Otherwise, why set it ablaze when we all come here to watch events…?
Continuing Ayade said 'We have a strong believe that this trend is un-Cross Riverian, in our DNA destruction is not part of us. This is too much and I believe that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, this kind of thing has to stop. We can't take this anymore'.
The governor who queried how the carnage on the CICC had anything to do with the scrapping of the now controversial unit of the Nigerian Police, Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS noted that the said vandalism on Calabar had nothing to do with the original intent of the peaceful protesters under the aegis of #EndSARS.
Ayade further revealed that 'We are one of the state with the least allocation, Cross River does not have the money to fix all of the critical infrastructure they have destroyed.
Irene Ugbo the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state disclosed that the police has arrested over 90 persons suspected to be involved in the carnage. She revealed that the suspects will be charged to court soon.
Recall that on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October this year, the #EndSARS protest which agitates for an end to police brutality and injustice including bad governance as domesticated in Calabar, the state capital city took a disappointing turn with vandals and arsonists perpetuating incalculable damage on public facilities and private investments in the state.
