According to all indications, Governor Ben Ayade’s requests for the federal government to send troops to the Uyanga forests in the Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State was promptly granted.
The governor personally acknowledged a letter last week in which he vowed to pursue bandits wherever they may be.
He urged the federal government to send out Tucano aircraft as well as more security guards to search the Akamkpa forests for potential bandits.
Bandits, according to the governor, had kidnapped and dragged nine motorists into the woods. Security operatives went into action and the hostages were released the next day.
But on Friday, there were reports again that another seven persons were kidnapped at the same spot on the Uyanga-Ikom-Calabar highway.
Early Sunday morning, military men from the army, navy and police took over the Uyanga community.
According to a resident who spoke to journalists, their confidence has been restored.
“We were scared by the activities of the gunmen. Even travellers are also scared because they daringly operated yesterday on the highway,” he stated.