We Are Neutralising Militancy, Kidnapping, Cultism –DSS Boss

The Director of the Department of State Service (DSS) in Cross River State, Mr. Fubara Duke, says the service has curtailed militancy, kidnapping, cultism and other forms of criminality in the state.

Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Calabar Thursday, Duke disclosed that there have been engagements with stakeholders who have access to militants to persuade them to surrender their arms and embrace peace and possibly be granted amnesty.

He said some of the kingpins earlier arrested have been transferred out of the state to face trial, adding that the state has been relatively peaceful in the past few months after militancy and kidnapping were substantially degraded.

Duke, who assumed office in Calabar five months ago, attributed the success so far recorded in the area of security to the collaboration with other security agencies, and especially commended personnel involved in Operation Delta Safe.

According to him, out of the four groups responsible for kidnapping in the state, two groups have been neutralized, while five suspects arrested have been charged to court. In the area of cult-related crimes, he said the DSS is carrying our profiling to know those behind the menace.

He also said there have been continuous engagements with community leaders in the state to prevent clashes over land ownership, especially during this planting season. At the national level, he decried a situation where every issue is blown out of proportion by those who hide behind social media, citing the rumours over the President’s health, the brouhaha over Apostle Suleiman and the southern Kaduna saga.

The DSS boss said the service is trying to deal with the social media challenge at the highest level following what he called doomsday scenario that is now the order of the day on various social media platforms.

Duke advised journalists working with mainstream media to be more circumspect while deciding what to report and to moderate inflammatory remarks made by leaders of groups with large following.