Akwa Ibom: Bandits storm government house, cart away millions of naira

The current wave of crime in Akwa Ibom state has taken a new dimension as bandits invaded the government house and made away with millions of naira.

According to a source close to the government house, the robbers allegedly carted away millions from office of the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh. 

Sources revealed to our correspondent who visited Government House, Uyo  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 begged for anonymity 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. 

Our correspondent who met the Secretary to the CPS crying, gathered, upon enquiry,  that except at the entrance of the gate of the government house, no 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 months 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 our correspondent said the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor came to the press center a day after the incident to invite  the driver to the Chief Press Secretary for interrogations.

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 being recorded daily as the once peaceful and safe haven for residents has lost its lustre.

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 call on the police in distress 

have resorted 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 passerby  maimed and dispossessed of valuable items. 

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

“Any incident reported to  must be followed to a conclusive end”.

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