Calabar: Gov Otu’s neighbours lament incessant robbery attacks

In Calabar, Cross River State, residents of the Ekorinim 1 Housing Estate have expressed frustration over a series of recent break-ins despite the prominent police presence near Governor Bassey Otu’s residence. The neighborhood, known for its upscale properties, has been plagued by multiple robberies in recent weeks. Valuables were stolen from several homes, prompting the community to question the efficacy of security measures surrounding the governor’s private residence, which is guarded by armed policemen and two roadblocks.

Governor Otu has resided in his private home for nearly three years while his official residence, the Peregrino Lodge, undergoes renovations. Some locals, including shop owners, tricycle operators, and passersby, have complained that the heavy security focus on the governor’s immediate surroundings leaves other parts of the estate exposed to criminal activity.

Madam Winifred Omini recounted that two houses on an adjacent street were burglarized last week, with valuables being stolen. Governor Otu’s heavy security presence, she noted, has not deterred the ongoing incidents, leading the residents to suspect that youths in the area may be involved. Another resident, Martin Robert, corroborated the allegations, stating that his neighbor's apartment was recently robbed, with the thieves taking an air conditioner and a freezer.

Upon being asked, the state's Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, questioned the possibility of the incidents being formally reported to the police, demanding confirmation of recent complaints.