Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, representing Cross River State Central senatorial district, has urged security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending those responsible for the recent kidnapping of six Calabar-bound passengers. Speaking in Calabar during a press interview, the senator expressed concern over a series of kidnapping incidents in November and December 2023, which resulted in fatalities in the region.
As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Upstream Petroleum Sector, Senator Williams appealed to his constituents to avoid violent clashes during the upcoming farming season, acknowledging the historical tendency for communal conflicts over farmlands.
He specifically referenced the recent attack by kidnappers in Nde, a community in Ikom Local Government Area, condemning the incident and advocating for measures to prevent such occurrences.
Highlighting the potential role of traditional rulers in fostering conflict resolution, Senator Williams, a former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, proposed a constitutional amendment to formally incorporate traditional rulers into conflict resolution mechanisms nationwide.
Emphasizing the significance of their involvement, he stressed the need to empower traditional leaders with constitutional responsibilities. Senator Williams not only called for heightened security measures to address recent kidnappings but also urged community members to embrace peaceful farming practices.
Additionally, he advocated for the inclusion of traditional rulers in the constitutional framework to enhance conflict resolution capabilities across the country.
IMAGE: Daily trust
