Residents of the Nyanasang community in Calabar have condemned what they described as reckless and unlawful actions by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Airport Division, and the state security outfit, Operation Okwot.
The operatives were accused of continuous harassment and extortion of commercial motorcyclists and tricycle riders, despite a government directive exempting the area from the ongoing restriction on motorcycle operations within the metropolis.
According to eyewitness accounts, the latest incident occurred on Friday morning at Access Junction when members of Operation Okwot allegedly opened fire while pursuing cyclists who attempted to escape with their motorcycles to avoid seizure. The shooting reportedly caused chaos, forcing residents, traders, and passers-by to flee for safety.
A cyclist, Okon Ntui, who spoke with journalists, said riders in the area now operate in fear due to frequent raids by the security agents. “They keep storming this area to impound our bikes even when the government said we are free to operate. We are not criminals; we are just struggling to survive. It is unfair that they shoot at us,” he lamented.
Residents of the area described the incident as a gross violation of the state government’s order prohibiting harassment, brutality, or the use of firearms in enforcing the motorcycle restriction. They appealed to Governor Bassey Otu to take immediate action to investigate the shooting and bring the perpetrators to book.
Civil society groups have also demanded an independent investigation into the matter, warning that the continued misuse of force by security operatives could heighten public tension and erode citizens’ confidence in law enforcement agencies.
As of press time, the leadership of Operation Okwot had yet to issue an official statement. Efforts to reach the State Security Adviser, Major General Okoi Obono (rtd), were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, residents and commercial riders have renewed their call for the state government to ensure that enforcement operations are carried out lawfully and without endangering lives.