CHRISTMAS SALES: CALABAR TRADERS BEG FOR PROTECTION FROM ROBBERY

Traders in Calabar have called on the state security agencies for protection especially in this period of Christmas where sales is high.

Making the appeal in Calabar, traders in whaat market area said the appeal has become necessary following alleged high incidents of robbery in the past Christmas periods.

Zedicuspiro blogspot gathered that traders and customers are robbed of their belongings by suspected indigenes of Calabar known as "Area Boys". Such robbery as reported by victims take  place often from 5pm to 8pm, a period of rush hour.

Traders are looted of money made from the day sales while customers are looted of phones, money, items bought that are desirable to the hoodlums. The operation is suspected to be carried out at gun point or with very sharp cutlasses and whoever proved difficult is shot dead or disfigure by the no human sympathy criminals.

A phone Seller and repairer in whaat market Mr Francis said he was robbed at broadday thrice last december. "When it get to this period am often so scared, we are all so scared. Its painful loosing what you struggle to earn. These are small scale businesses, we survive on little profit and when you are robbed of it, your investment is so affected. Many shops have folded up and are folding up because of robbery in this area. I was robbed thrice last year,it so affected me but God through his infinite blessings restored me back. They are police van at some location here but Am calling on the police to increase patrol around here especially between 5pm and 9pm."

Other traders that own shops at various areas like Mount Zion, Ekpo Abasi, Afukan, New Airport, Edim Otop, Calabar Road, Marian and 8Miles in Calabar made it known to zedicuspiro blogspot they were face with similar robbery in the period of Christmas which has often resulted to closing their shops by 6pm in such busy moments.

Most of the traders declined suggestions to always inform the police about the robbery because it was a "waste of time and money" that would be collected to open case file, fuel for arrest and if any are arrested, they would be free in couple of days.

Residents of calabar who intend to own a stand as usual during the Carnival schedule from 1st of December to 3rd of January have also pleaded for tight security measures in the Christmas Village to avoid similar incidents recorded last year.

Alleged Robbery was reported in 2015 Christmas village hosted in Zoo garden, off Mary Slessor with few alleged to have been killed by area boys while others raped and looted of their valuables. The venue was shifted to Municipal Garden off Marian road last year 2016 but similar incident happened as area boys stormed the premises looting money at gun point from shops owners and beat up Kiss Daniel while he was performing on stage. Arrest was made by the police in regards to that.

The new police commissioner of Cross River State Hafiz Inuwa had assured safety of lives and properties all through the year when he resumed office.

The state Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has commissioned Homeland Security to partner with other security agency as efforts to make the state crime free.

Traders have been advise by some members of the police to go about their lawful business and report any suspected movement to the nearest police station. They warned the entire public against involving in crime as non would be spared.

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