SUSPECTED THUGS DISRUPT ADC SECRETARIAT OPENING IN CROSS RIVER

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Suspected political thugs on Saturday disrupted the planned opening of a secretariat belonging to the African Democratic Congress in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Reports indicated that the attackers stormed the venue of the event, dispersing party supporters and destroying canopies, loudspeakers, chairs, and other items arranged for the ceremony.

A video circulating on social media showed a group of youths forcefully dismantling the setup while shouting that the ADC would not be allowed to operate in the council area.

In the footage, a man believed to be leading the group was heard directing others to scatter the materials, claiming that the ADC was nowhere to be found when the All Progressives Congress was working to develop the council area.

Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command described the perpetrators as hoodlums and said officers were deployed to restore order.

The command’s spokesman, Sunday Eitokpah, stated in a statement issued on Sunday that the event was about to begin when “the hoodlums from nowhere came and scattered the canopies, chairs and sound systems.”

He added that the situation had since been brought under control to prevent it from escalating into a wider crisis.

“Officers and tactical team are at the scene. The event couldn’t continue again. In such a chaotic situation, and considering the volatile nature of the area, for now, no arrests have been made,” he stated.

A similar incident had earlier occurred on Tuesday when another activity of the party was disrupted in Calabar.

Following that disruption, the ADC raised concerns over what it described as attempts to hijack the party’s structure in the state.