Governor Ayade Demands Death penalty For Kidnappers Convicted in Cross River

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News From The State Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

By Ignatius Okpara, Calabar – Determined to rid the state of kidnapping, the Cross River State government has sent an Executive Bill to its House of Assembly, seeking death penalty for the suspects convicted for the crime.

The bill, sent Wednesday by the State Governor, Ben Ayade, also seeks to empower the state to confiscate property belonging to the perpetrators and other criminal elements in the state.

Besides, it also proposes rewards for citizens who provide reliable information to security operatives on activities of criminals in their areas.

AFRICAN EXAMINER, recalls that for quite some time now, kidnapping cases had been on the increase in parts of the state.

Only recently, some senior citizens, including fathers of a former Deputy Governor, Chief Cobham, former Deputy Speaker of the State’s Assembly, Mr. Dominic Aqua as well as a Pastor with the Living Faith Church, (aka) Winners Chapel, amongst others, were abducted in parts of the State.

However, Governor Ayade, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Christian Ita, has approved the appointment of Mr. Jude Ngaji, as the State Security Adviser (SSA). The appointment to the statement takes immediate effect.

Ngaji, served as Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor of the state, Liyel Imoke.

Similarly, Governor Ayade has approved the setting up of a Security Taskforce code-named “Operation Skolombo” to flush out miscreants on the streets of Calabar.