Open Letter to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu
Subject: Urgent Appeal to Address the Continuous Burglary of Cocoa Warehouses in Ikom
Your Excellency,
I am reaching out to express deep concerns over the persistent and brazen burglaries of cocoa warehouses in Ikom, the thriving commercial hub of Cross River state. As a region known for its dedication to agriculture and for housing one of Nigeria’s most vital cocoa markets, Ikom’s growing insecurity is troubling and unsustainable for the residents and the state’s agricultural economy.
Recent incidents of burglary in cocoa warehouses have escalated to the point where many citizens now live in fear, likening Ikom’s environment to that of “James Town” — a metaphorical reference to a place where insecurity is rife, and law-abiding citizens are gripped by fear. Warehouse owners and local business people are losing valuable commodities to criminals, often organized in such a way that suggests more than mere opportunistic theft. Cocoa is a heavy commodity; a single bag weighs approximately 60 kilograms. It is astonishing that criminals can steal as many as 20 bags or more in a single act without intervention. This level of audacity strongly suggests a larger network involving buyers, sellers, and reportedly, even the complicity of security personnel.
Disturbing rumors among residents indicate that some members of the security forces are aware of these perpetrators yet feel powerless to act due to interference from influential figures. This perception of compromised security not only frustrates efforts to maintain order but erodes public trust in the system meant to protect them. Additionally, there are alarming reports that this cartel is expanding its activities to include drug distribution and the trade of small arms and light weapons. This combination of criminal enterprises, if not addressed immediately, threatens to spiral into a larger crisis.
Your Excellency, while we fully understand the constraints on law enforcement, it is essential to strengthen the security apparatus in Ikom and demand higher accountability within their ranks. This is a call for increased surveillance, more rigorous investigation into the activities of these criminals, and decisive actions to dismantle the network sustaining this criminal enterprise.
Our people are deeply resilient and law-abiding, but if no measures are put in place to halt these attacks, residents may eventually feel compelled to take the law into their own hands to protect their livelihoods. To avoid such a scenario and safeguard the integrity of Ikom’s commercial activities, we urgently seek your direct intervention in the matter.
Thank you for your attention and anticipated action on this critical issue affecting the lives and livelihoods of the people of Ikom.
Yours sincerely,
Concerned Citizen
