The government of Cross River State has demolished four buildings owned by alleged kidnappers in Calabar South that were declared wanted by the state government.
Three of the buildings demolished at Cross River University of Technology quarters, Calabar, were owned by one of the alleged kidnappers, Kufre Ekpo-Etim, popularly known as “Romance.”
The other building that was used as a brothel in Calabar South’s Bedwell area was owned by Cyril Bassey, who is also on the state government’s wanted list.
Mr Bassey, is a People’s Democratic Party councilor candidate in Ward 6, Calabar South, in the state’s forthcoming local government polls on May 30.
Ani Esin, the State Security Advisor to Governor Ben Ayade in the Southern Senatorial District, said the two suspects were among those previously declared wanted by their involvement in Calabar cultism and killings.
Mr Esin said the State Government has been pursuing the suspects in the past three weeks in coordination with security agencies.
The state government performed the demolition, with the help of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), according to Mr. Esin.
“These are buildings of suspected kidnappers in Calabar who also trade on hard drugs. These buildings were used as hideouts for criminals in Calabar metropolis.
“We have been on this exercise for sometime now, trying to fish out the criminals in their hideouts.
“For sometime now, there have been cases of cult clashes which have led to the death of many people. We are taking those deaths seriously; we must get to the bottom of the matter by arresting those involved in all the recorded deaths.
“We will stop at nothing in getting justice for the deaths of those affected,” he said.
He said the 35 names on the state government’s wanted list were those with criminal records, ranging from cultism, kidnapping, assassination and armed robbery.
“The state government is determined to ensure that lasting peace is returned to Calabar. We are collaborating with all relevant agencies and stakeholders to deliver on this mandate,” he said.
He called on people to also make use of his office and security services with valuable knowledge that would lead to alleged criminals being arrested around them.
