Robbers have allegedly stolen millions of Naira from the Press Centre of Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo as the wave of armed robbery in the state capital continue to surge.
According to inside sources invaded by bandits who allegedly carted away the money from the office of the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh.
Sources told correspondents who visited the Government House to ascertain the report that the burglar gained access into the room where the money was kept by tempering with the locks .
Our source who would not wish to be mentioned explained that the money which was brought into the center in a Ghana must go bag, was transferred into the bandits’ bag while the empty Ghana must go was left on the floor.
Correspondents who met the Secretary to the CPS crying, gathered, upon enquiry, that except at the entrance of the gate of the government house, no active security camera was located anywhere at the centre, making it impossible to trace the criminals.
Unfortunately, this is not the first an incident of theft occurred at the press center as about three flat screen televisions were stolen within the centre about a year ago.
“The money came in since yesterday afternoon but they refused to share it to the people it was meant for. So the bandits came in the night and destroyed the keys and gained access to office of the secretary to the CPS.
“This is not the first time the government house press center is being robbed. We have lost about three Plasma Televisions, one at the reception, one in reporter’s office and the other in the office used by cameramen. In all of these, no meeting, no replacement. said a government house source.
Another government house source who also spoke with correspondents said the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor visited the press center a day after the incident to invite the driver to the Chief Press Secretary for interrogations..
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr Ekerete Udoh declined comment on the robbery incident but however assured that those who were originally meant to be paid with the said money would get their money.
Meanwhile residents of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital now live in fear over the state of rising insecurity.
The Uyo village road, behind the Akwa Ibom Government House has been declared a ‘no go area’ due to the new wave of car snatching that greeted the area.
Many cases of robbery attacks that spiral into other crimes are been recorded daily as the once peaceful and safe haven for residents has lost its luster.
This, according to the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong could be attributed to low morale within the police force owing to the EndSARS protests.
Residents who now receive “EndSars” as response whenever they put a distress call to the police have resorted to self help as they take up jungle justice where they can.
The criminal activities which are carried out even in daylight, in open places and at supermarkets have been on since the end of EndSars protests as many cars have been snatched, and passersby maimed and dispossessed of valuable items.
Reacting to the insecurity in the state, the Chairman, Civil Liberty Organisation, Mr Franklin Isong decried that the rate of insecurity is affecting businesses and likelihood.
Isong who reported that the police had complained of lack of utility vehicles to fight crime in the state, appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to use the security vote made available to the state to support the command..
In his reaction to ongoing criminal activities in the state, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon assured that the police has been doing its best to get to the root of every issues reported by members of the public
