CROSS RIVERIANS REACT TO IFERE PAUL ARREST FOR ALLEGED CULTISM AND KIDNAPPING

Cross Riverians have reacted to the arrest of Social media critic Ifere Paul by the Cross River State police department on Thursday the 19th of October. Ifere Paul that no week passes by without criticizing Prof Ben Ayade governance on Facebook was arrested in Abuja and moved immediately to zone 6 Calabar. He is suspected to still be in police custody after 48 hours.

Many had earlier feared Ifere Paul was kidnapped by hoodlums but ASP Irene Ugbo who is the state Police Public Relations Officer confirmed to Paul's lawyer Utum Eteng that he was arrested by the police as a suspect on charges of cultism and kidnapping.

Barr. Utum Eteng had lamented that he was denied the opportunity to see his client before they will take any statement from him as the law demands but was politely asked to go back later.

Ifere Paul who hale from central Cross River State is said to have been invited by the police in Abuja in regards to the petition he wrote but was arrested by the awaited police men from Cross Rivers State.

Many Cross Riverians aware of the arrest have reacted to the development with some describing it as "politically influence" while others seek to maintain trust that the police knows and are only doing their work but beg for transparency in the case.

One person who spoke explicitly but maintain undisclosed identity said "If there's one thing that comes to the mind of anyone that knows Ifere Paul in the past one year is criticism for cross river state government. From alleged bad roads, poor security , poor governance etc, if you doubt me go through his Facebook wall. What he says maybe true or not but it is sad to hear that such young man that preach the best should be done has been arrested for alleged cultism & kidnapping. Time would disclose more."

Another lady who spoke but also maintain anonymity because of the "nature" of the case said "rumors are all over that Ifere Paul was arrested by the Governor, well, we only believe what the police says but within everyone lies the truth. No man can lie to himself, if Ifere Paul was arrested for alleged cultism and kidnapping or for criticizing the Cross River state government the fact remains it was an arrest by the police and there should be no alarm because it is part of the law."

They have been rumors circulating around the state metropolis and social media that Ifere Paul was arrested by the Governor, Prof Ben Ayade for his continues "abuse" in the name of criticism of the present state government.

Speaking on the rumors, one Akpan said "There is always what the people knows and the so authority knows. What the people know maybe wrong but not completely wrong and what the authority knows may be often coated for best interests. how do we really achieve the best if someone does not remind us this and that is bad? How would a leader do the needful if a follower does not voice? A leader should be quick to address the issues raise and not to arrest who raise the issue. However we should apply caution when raising issues as some could infer on the leader's fundamental rights."

Akpan added that "Am still of the opinion Ifere may have been invited to show what really need to be done as he always raise. It maybe his dream come through".

Others described Ifere Paul "continues criticism" on the state government as being on the grounds of political party difference. They added that Ifere hardly appreciate anything from the state but never fails to utilized a chance of negative criticism as if there's no goodness in the state hence promoting a negative image of our tourist state and that's consider as an abuse to the entire Cross River State. They plead for peaceful resolution or "healthy" investigation to the alleged charges.

Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla had earlier criticized Ifere Paul arrest describing it as a "stain to freedom of expression".

MY NAME IS ZEDICUS PIRO AND YOU KNOW SAY WORDS NO BE PROBLEM