Atiku said residents living in the same estate as the governor had complained about repeated robberies, despite the heavy security presence around Otu’s residence.
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Cross River State Government over alleged insecurity in a residential estate in Calabar, where Governor Bassey Otu’s private residence is reportedly protected by armed policemen and multiple roadblocks.
Atiku said residents living in the same estate as the governor had complained about repeated robberies, despite the heavy security presence around Otu’s residence.
In a statement posted on his official X account, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) cited the experience of residents who allegedly lost valuables to burglars, including an air conditioner and a freezer.
He also claimed that robbers attacked two houses on a nearby street the previous week, raising questions about the security arrangements in the neighbourhood.
“In Calabar, the neighbours of Cross River’s APC governor say robbers are breaking into their homes in the same estate where armed police and two roadblocks guard the governor’s private residence,” Atiku wrote.
“One resident lost his air conditioner and freezer. Another says robbers attacked two houses on a nearby street only last week.”
Atiku accused the state government of prioritising the protection of the governor over the safety of ordinary residents, describing the situation as an example of what he called the APC’s approach to security.
“This is security, APC style: two roadblocks for the governor, and none for the people next door,” he said.
The former Vice-President also questioned why Otu had continued to operate from his private residence nearly three years into his administration, while the official Government House was undergoing renovation.
He argued that residents living close to the governor’s heavily guarded home should not be exposed to insecurity while the state government maintains extensive protection around the governor.
Atiku further challenged the APC’s capacity to address insecurity in communities outside the state capital, asking: “If the APC cannot secure the street beside the governor, what does it offer the villages beyond the capital?”
The former presidential candidate used the allegations to restate his proposed security reforms, saying he would transform the Nigeria Police Force from what he described as a regime-protecting institution into a citizen-focused public service.
He also proposed expanding the police force towards an international benchmark of one police officer for every 450 citizens.
“I will transform the police from a regime-protecting force into a citizen-focused public service, and I will expand the force towards the international standard of one officer for every four hundred and fifty citizens, so that protection reaches every street, not only the powerful,” he stated.
Atiku added that his proposed reforms would include community-based security and intelligence networks to enable residents to report suspicious activities and alert authorities before crimes occur.
“I will also build community-based security and intelligence networks, so that neighbourhoods can raise the alarm before the thieves arrive,” he said.
He concluded: “Security that stops at the governor’s gate is not security; it is a fence.”
The allegations come amid persistent concerns about burglary, armed robbery and other security challenges in parts of the country.
