Calabar carnival: Ayade donates 160 vehicles to security agencies

Ben Ayade, governor of cross river state, south-south Nigeria has donated 160 vehicles to security agencies days ahead of the 2016 calabar carnival.

Speaking during the presentation of the vehicles, Ayade said the gesture was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to protect lives and property in state, promising a trouble-free festival as preparations for Carnival Calabar gather momentum.

He urged all fun seekers to be part of this year’s carnival as his government has put all measures in place to protect them from mischief makers and ensure they enjoy themselves in the state.

According to him, the quality of vehicles donated is an indication of the level of safety and security that would be provided in the state.

He disclosed that the recently established Homeland Security Service was one way of complementing the efforts of security agencies to secure the state.

His words: “We have created an opportunity for everybody to come to calabar for the carnival and end 2016 but as you do so take a look at the array of vehicles that are here. That tells you of the level of security, level of safety that you would enjoy once you come to calabar.

 We actually have the Homeland Security Service. The Homeland Security Service is a team of young graduates trained in the scheme of security, protection of lives and properties.

 They would be working in collaboration with the Nigerian police and the armed forces to ensure peace, tranquility, safety of lives and properties all through the yuletide, carnival and indeed beyond.”

The State Security Adviser,  Jude Ngaji described the event as epochal in the annals of the state.

He said with the donation of the vehicles coupled with the dynamic security alert governor and the proactive service commanders in the state, criminals should start fleeing the state.

Speaking on behalf of the service commanders, the state commissioner for police, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh thanked the governor for the worthy donation and assured that his mandate of crime-free Cross River state will be actualized.