Gov Otu Leads Security Awareness Campaign Ahead of "Unite Against Terror" Summit

By NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, Calabar 

Governor Bassey Otu on Tuesday led a Security Awareness Walk in Calabar as part of activities heralding the forthcoming Security Summit themed "Unite Against Terror."

Represented by the State Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono (rtd), the governor flagged off the sensitization campaign/roadshow, saying it was aimed at building a culture of intelligence sharing and collective responsibility for security.

"Even though Cross River State has not witnessed terrorism, we don't need to wait until it happens," Obono said on behalf of the governor. "We must unite and support the security agencies to do their job."

He charged residents to partner with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements, adding, "Security agencies are not spirits. They rely on you for information. So I want to urge you all to play your part. If you see something, say something."

The walk received strong backing from security stakeholders. Kenny Wariboko of the Department of State Services said those who perpetrate terror live among the people and cannot be tackled by security agencies alone, while the Acting Commissioner of Police, Effanga Etim, said the police are fully behind the awareness drive because "there can be no development without peace."

Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee for the summit, Beatrice Akpala, said community development cannot take place in insecure areas and assured that the Otu administration is determined to ensure residents can "live, farm, and do business without any form of interference."