By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
With a day left to the supposed hunger protest, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River Command, CP Austin Grimah, has charged residents of the state to go about their legitimate businesses and never allowed themselves to be coerced into unlawful practices.
Grimah stated this while addressing newsmen shortly after an enlarged security meeting comprising service commanders in the state with the governor, Prince Bassey Otu and his deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, held at the temporary office of the Governor in Calabar.
“Anybody who attempts to pick even a pin, as he picks the pin, he will go with the pin because we will not allow anything close to that.
“I would advise that people should come out and continue to perform their normal and legal activities.
“If anybody thinks he will come out for any protest, he should be sure that what he is coming up to start will end up well, but if he is not going to end it well, it is better he remains where he is, because even after the protest, we will still go after such people,” the Police Commissioner warned.
Admitting that no person or group has indicated interest or proven to be an organizer of the said planned protest, he remarked that “we are treating it (protest) as noise not as sound.”
Continuing, Grimah who was flanked by other service commanders in the state advised: “If you are for peaceful protest whatsoever, it is not too late for you to come out today and let us know so that we arrange on how to give you protection, but if you continue to hide, it is an indication that you are bearing nonsense in mind.”
Asked if the citizenry should expect curfew, the Commissioner of Police said, such may be introduced as events unfold but for now, there is no news of any curfew.
