The Cross River State Government has issued a hard-hitting warning to individuals involved in the vandalization and theft of public assets, following a failed attempt to cart away government-owned transformers in Obudu. The brazen act, which was foiled by vigilant residents and the prompt intervention of the Nigeria Police Force, has triggered a fierce response from the State.
In a statement signed by Barr. Gilbert Agbor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, the government condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms, describing it as “a reckless assault on the commonwealth of the people” and a direct sabotage of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s “People First” development agenda.
“It is deeply disturbing that despite several public notices and ongoing awareness campaigns, some criminal-minded individuals remain determined to plunder what belongs to the people,” the statement read. “This government will not fold its arms while thieves and vandals attempt to drag us backwards.”
Governor Otu, reportedly infuriated by the incident, has issued a standing directive to the Department of Asset Management and Recovery to collaborate fully with security agencies to hunt down all perpetrators. He has made it unequivocally clear: no one is above the law. Regardless of influence, connections, or position, any individual caught stealing or vandalizing public property will face the full consequences under the law.
“This government is not here to play politics with the lives and resources of Cross Riverians,” the Governor warned. “The era of impunity is over. We are pursuing development with every ounce of commitment, and we will not tolerate anyone sabotaging our efforts through criminal enterprise.”
The government further stressed that it would no longer treat such matters with levity. Going forward, surveillance on public assets will be intensified, and any form of sabotage—no matter how minor—will be met with swift and decisive action.
The public has been urged to be more vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving public property to the Department of Asset Management and Recovery. “This is a shared responsibility. These assets are not government property—they belong to every Cross Riverian, and must be protected as such,” Barr. Agbor stated.
The government also assured that the identities of whistleblowers will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and security.
Ebi Collins, Beagle News
