Governor sanctions traditional rulers over clashes

Ayade also called on the Federal Government to dispatch men of Operation Delta Safe to the state to ensure the safety of residents.

He said,“As the chief security officer of the state, I want to once more assure all of you that Cross River State is safe; Calabar is indeed safe.

“We are aware that in recent times, we have had incidences that are not known to us, not peculiar to the state. We have decided to have a close door session to discuss the ways and means through which we can put an end to these security threats.

“I have also realized that cultism has been on the increase. Therefore, as a government, we are going to take deliberate steps to ensure that any person who is in cult of any form and who is in government must be thrown out.

“We have also taken strong action on the issue of communal clash that has become very repel late in our state and which we must stop. Against that background, all warring communities, all communities that are at war, all the traditional rulers, chiefs of such communities, their certificates as traditional rulers are hereby withdrawn.”

Reports say there were violent clashes in Yakurr, Obubra and Ogoja local government areas of the state of the state.

Governor Ben Ayade also said his administration will continue to undefinedthrough provision of quality education and moral uprightness.