The Cross River Police Command and the University of Cross River State (UniCross) have resolved to deepen their collaboration to strengthen campus security and tackle cultism and other emerging threats.

The Command’s Spokesman, Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.

According to him, the resolution followed a strategic security meeting between the Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, and the Vice-Chancellor of UniCross, Prof.

Eitokpah said the meeting was aimed at reviewing and strengthening the security architecture around the university, with particular attention to the safety of students, staff and other members of the academic community.

He quoted Ordue as assuring the university management of increased police visibility and security presence within and around its campuses.

The commissioner said the deployment would be driven by intelligence gathering, information sharing, and rapid response to security threats.

He also called for stronger coordination between the police and the university’s internal security structures to ensure early identification and prevention of criminal activities.

Ordue urged students and staff to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, cult-related activities, recruitment attempts, and other security concerns to the appropriate authorities.

He said the command would further strengthen the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) programme within the university as part of efforts to prevent cultism and other forms of youth-related criminality.

The commissioner said sustained engagement with students and other members of the university community remained critical to preventing crime and maintaining peace on campus.

Responding, Bassey commended the command for its continued partnership with the university and its efforts to strengthen security around the institution.

She pledged the university’s continued cooperation with the police, saying closer collaboration was necessary to effectively confront cultism and other emerging security challenges.

The vice-chancellor called for further strengthening of the partnership between the two institutions to safeguard lives and property and create an environment conducive to teaching, learning and research.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to working with the university and other stakeholders to ensure a safe and secure academic environment.

He said effective campus security remained a shared responsibility requiring constant vigilance, timely information and sustained collaboration.(NAN)

From Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

Suspected bandits have launched a fresh wave of attacks across parts of Kaduna State, killing at least five people, including three personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS), and abducting 27 residents in separate incidents in Giwa and Kubau Local Government Areas.

The attacks, which occurred between Saturday and Monday, also involved cattle rustling in communities in Giwa, further heightening security concerns across the affected areas.

According to the KADVS Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Shehu, two residents, identified as Alhaji Surajo and Alhaji Ado, were killed when bandits attacked Tunburku in Kidandan District in the early hours of Monday.

In a near-simultaneous attack on Tudun Amada in Kadage District, 26 residents were reportedly abducted, while another resident, Ayyuba Usman, sustained injuries.

Shehu said the attacks occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Monday, with the assailants targeting the two communities in Giwa Local Government Area.

The bandits also invaded Kura in Danmahawayi District at about 9 p.m. on Saturday and rustled cattle belonging to residents. The number of animals initially reported stolen was put at between 15 and 17, although authorities said efforts were ongoing to establish the exact figure.

Another cattle-rustling incident was reported at Kallon Kura, also in Danmahawayi District, where the attackers fled after security personnel mobilised to the area.

Following intelligence on the movement of the bandits and the stolen cattle, KADVS personnel reportedly engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the attackers to abandon the animals and retreat.

A security source said 19 cattle were subsequently recovered at about midnight on Saturday, September 5. The operation was conducted under the supervision of the KADVS Sector Coordinator in Giwa, who led the personnel during the recovery exercise.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck in neighbouring Kubau Local Government Area, where three KADVS personnel were killed along the Zaria-Pambegua axis.

The slain personnel were identified as Dallami Dantani, the Second-in-Command of KADVS in Kubau; Abdullahi Hamisu; and Zakariyya Musa.

KADVS spokesman Yunusa Ibrahim said the personnel were conducting routine security checks when they attempted to stop a red Volkswagen Golf Salon. The driver allegedly refused to stop, prompting the officers to pursue the vehicle in an official patrol van.

The suspects reportedly opened fire during the pursuit, killing Dantani before turning back towards the KADVS office, where Hamisu and Musa were also fatally shot. The attackers subsequently fled towards Zaria.

Barely hours later, suspected bandits invaded the residence of Sanusi, younger brother of Alhaji Shehu Pambegua, a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Kubau Constituency.

Ibrahim said the attackers arrived in a Sharon vehicle and abducted Sanusi at about 10 p.m. on Monday.

Reacting to the deaths, the Kaduna State Commander of KADVS, CP Ali Audu (rtd.), described the loss of the personnel as painful and commiserated with their families.

Audu commended the deceased officers for their courage and dedication to duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.

He said security personnel had intensified surveillance in Pambegua and neighbouring communities, while efforts were underway to rescue the abducted victim and arrest those responsible.

The KADVS commander also urged personnel to remain vigilant and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard vulnerable communities across the state.

When contacted, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, said he would provide further clarification after obtaining details of the incidents. However, he had not responded as of the time of filing the report.

Bandits have attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing no fewer than eight farmers and leaving at least five others with gunshot injuries.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, sent residents into panic as the assailants reportedly stormed the community around 3:00 p.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent.

Rufai said the command was aware of the attack, adding that details of the incident were being gathered.

According to him,” Yes, we are aware of the attack, 8 farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered on it,” Rafai added

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits opened fire on farmers in the community.

According to the source, “The bandits came around 3:00 p.m. and started shooting at people. No fewer than eight farmers were killed, while at least five others sustained gunshot injuries. ”The source alleged that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of some members of the bandit group by security agencies during recent operations in the area.

He said, “We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days.”

The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, particularly farmers who have continued to face threats from armed groups operating in parts of the state.(PUNCH)