The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) say people in Cross River celebrated the Yuletide and New Year holidays without security issues.

The security outfits on Tuesday lauded the conduct of residents of the state during the celebration and the annual Calabar carnival.

The heads of the security agencies in Cross River said the celebrations were generally peaceful.

NSCDC commandant Samuel Fadeyi claimed that no serious security breach was recorded during the celebrations.

Mr Fadeyi revealed that NSCDC deployed more than 1,800 operatives across the state to ensure peaceful celebrations.

“There was no case of insecurity recorded during the yuletide season. Christmas coincided with the carnival, and we manned everywhere. We sectorised the roads,” the NSCDC commandant explained. “The only sad incident we recorded was the accident that occurred on December 27, 2022, during the bikers’ carnival, where many people were feared dead.”

He added, “Governor Ben Ayade, alongside security chiefs, responded swiftly to the incident, and peace was restored.”

Police spokeswoman Irene Ugbo stated that no kidnapping or robbery was recorded during the period.

Ms Ugbo attributed the hitch-free celebrations to the cordial working relationship among security agencies in the state.

“The celebrations were very calm; there was no serious case of insecurity in the state,” noted the police officer. “The only sad incident that happened was the accident that occurred during the bikers’ carnival where some persons lost their lives.” 

(NAN)