Emmanuel Ogar|18 August 2016
Photo: Governor Ayade with Service Chiefs in Cross River State
On the wee hours of August 11, 2016, precisely Thursday, at about 2:29am, my domain was besieged by arm robbers. Hours before their operation, I had made plans to watch the Olympic football match between Nigeria and Columbia. I programmed my alarm device and increased its volume so that no matter how slumber I might find myself; I should be awakened when it beeps.
Eventually, it tooted but nature wouldn’t let me have my way. I managed to turn off the alarm and fully complied with the directives of nature. Few hours later, my body was dead rested. My spirit and soul had gone strolling to unknown realm. Maybe celestial, I guess!
While in that realm, suddenly from yonder, “Ogarrr, Ogarrrr!” echoed my name. Gradually, I was regaining consciousness and it sounded again in somewhat wailing voice calling for help. “Could it be hallucination or what?” I thought. I knew angels won’t call for help—it must be human. Fully, I had myself put together. I eavesdropped again and later realized it was my neighbour’s voice.
The hoodlums were telling her to open the door or they will force their way in. she was crying and simultaneously calling my name to come for her aid. The criminals were now determined to break into the room.
I thought of what to do. I had no weapon. I looked around if I could lay my hand on as weapon. When there was nothing, I resolved to scream. “Thief o’, thief o!!” I bawled. One of them hoarsely yelled: “your father! Idiot! Stupid! In brevity, their attention was now focused on me and they broke in. Unfortunately for them, the arm of God was stronger. To God be the glory.
It is understandably that there is uneasiness in the entire system. This one security challenge reminds me and my readers the retrospective titles of the articles I have written lately on security, notably: how safe is Calabar and; political sponsored kidnapping, murdering and cult clashes in Cross River State being a press statement by Youth Alliance for Northern Cross River Dreams, YANCRiD.
The problem of security is everybody’s business. Nobody should overlook its necessary and deserved priority attention. And very abled citizen is a partner in this all important venture. For a nation, the chief security is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces which is the president and the governor is for the state.
It is factual that all hands need to be on desk in order to combat crime successfully and not the usual melodrama of military swags, or fire brigade approach and the nine days wonder of initial gragra as seen when rampaging team of goons buffeted the state capital, Calabar. It was really a farce if you saw the trajectory. My heart hopped into my mouth when I saw the incongruous military carnival of the united allied forces (UAF) led by Ayade when he was decked in full military regalia. I was really stunned by such incongruity.
Though, it is necessary to applaud the governor and the security personnel at this juncture for the prompt actions taken in quelling the disturbances and for restoring tranquility. This is expedient because, it might later translate into being too extreme and unfair to His Excellency if I failed to acknowledge the positive result of his actions.
Since these security actions began, residents of Calabar have been happy seeing military officers stationed at strategic flashpoints in the inner-city. The stop and check security scrutiny is a nice tactic; however, at the long run, it is a mere palliative measure. The personnel are only at roundabout and junctions. The heat and heart of this crime is in the interior (nkoror).
Let no one pinch me if I say that we have a compromised security system. Have you not seen gangsters’ leader that was apprehended today and the following day, he is let lose to go commit most heinous crime? The system is so insalubrious. Of recent, we saw how this government handled security matters emanating from communal clashes and disputes. Either good or bad, you can tell better. Seriously, in some cases, the government could not interred her partiality. In the other, it was incompetently handled with child’s glove. And now, the residue is a conflagration of spiral chain of unending commotion.
The proximity between my residence to where security officers were is few meters; yet with earsplitting and other disturbances, they could not hear not to talk of coming for my rescue. Thank Jesus for the strong arm of God.
Since we cannot sleep with our eyes shut anymore, we must be cautious and always be at alert for any exigencies. If I may propose, there is serious need for community policing and the encouragement of vigilante in our neighborhoods provided it will be well controlled so that it might not metamorphosed into belligerent bunch of criminals.
Who does not need protection? All and sundry needs it. Even the security officers needs protection. Lord, you are our shield and buckler. Father hid us under your pavilion.
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko
Coordinates YANCRiD and Modern League of Classical Experimental Writers, MLCEW.
