Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have lamented the proliferation of firearms among youths.
They decried the recent hoodlum attack on a police station in Old Netim town in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, where a policeman was killed and another critically wounded.
During their plenary session on Thursday, a matter of urgent public interest was presented by the member representing Akamkpa 2 State Constituency and chairman House Committee on Information and Public Affairs, Okon Nyong Owuna, who decried the poor security situation in his constituency.
He adduced the recent killing of the policeman and the mob attack on another officer which left him badly injured to the preponderance of weapons and the daring nature of the youths.
He decried the inadequacies in the police force which make them unable to cope with crimes.
In their different contributions, the lawmakers condemned the attack on the police station, urging the state government to dispatch vehicles to the three police formations at Akamkpa and that the local government authorities should provide monthly financial support to police to enhance their operations.
They resolved that the state government, through the State Security Adviser, should collaborate with security agencies to curb the rising crime rate in Akamkpa.
The House further urged community members to form vigilante groups to compliment the government’s efforts while also appealing for corporate organisations and investors domiciled in the area to provide logistic support towards the fight against criminality.
They sued for the creation of employment opportunities, strengthening of the police force among other measures.
Reacting, Speaker of the Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, expressed sadness over the murder of the policeman and expressed hope that the perpetrators will be brought to book
