By Cletus Felix
A coalition of business owners under the aegis of the Gadgets and Accessories Dealers Union in Calabar, Cross River State, has staged a protest against the persistent burglary and theft that have ravaged their businesses in recent months.
The demonstrators, predominantly phone and accessories dealers, converged on Thursday at the bustling Etta Agbor Road, wielding placards and banners inscribed with messages such as “Enough is Enough,” “Government, Protect Our Businesses,” and “Stop the Burglary Epidemic.”
According to the protesters, their businesses have suffered relentless burglaries, culminating in financial losses exceeding ₦700 million. They lamented that despite lodging numerous complaints with the police, no significant action has been taken to curb the menace.
A victim, Okoro Uchenanya, CEO of Chidon Communications, recounted his harrowing experience, revealing that burglars looted goods worth ₦400 million from his two stores—one at 49 Etta Agbor and the other at 38 Marian Road—in December.
“I almost slipped into a coma from the sheer shock because I had just taken delivery of stock for December and January sales. They broke into my store on December 10, only to strike again the following night at my second outlet on the 11th. They left me financially crippled, carting away almost every item I had in stock at the time,” he lamented.
The demonstrators called on the state government to bolster security in the area by deploying more police personnel and installing CCTV cameras to deter criminal activities.
“We are not making outrageous demands,” asserted George Nwosu, CEO of George Gadgets, another affected entrepreneur. “We simply seek a secure environment to conduct our businesses. We are weary of living in constant fear of being burgled every night.”
Expressing their frustration, the protesters issued a stern warning, threatening to relocate their businesses to neighbouring states should the government fail to address the situation.
“We cannot continue to operate in an environment that lacks security,” declared Paschal Obi, CEO of MOC Gadgets. “If the government fails to protect us, we will be left with no choice but to move our businesses elsewhere.”
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, for comments proved abortive, as her contact was unreachable at the time of filing this report.
