Fishermen and traders at the Henshaw beach in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River state, are calling on both the state and the federal government to strengthen security along the high sea.
This according to them, is in order to prevent them from the daily harassment encountered on the sea by Cameroonian jam-darns.
The request is coming on the heels of series of harassment they have faced, which has, in turn, hindered them from their fishing activities.
As a result, fish and crayfish have become scarce commodities in recent times in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.
The Henshaw beach town is the major market known for the sale of crayfish, fresh fish, shrimps, snails, and other sea-foods.
The market which is usually a beehive of activity as traders travel from within and outside the state to come buy the commodities has dropped in the patronage level.
The fishermen and traders who have to get around Bakassi area of the high sea put the blame on the insecurity on the waters.
Speaking to Channels Television, they claimed they are usually detained and asked to pay a ransom before they are freed.
They added that in most cases, the money they travel with to purchase goods to bring back for sale, as well as their fishing boats are usually taken away from them.
One of the traders in tears, described her experience as an unfortunate one, while several other victims joined their voices in seeking help from the government.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, said the Navy was not aware of the claims, but promised to look into the matter and extend its security moves to the flash points.
Furthermore, he called on the community to avail security agencies with useful information that would help them in their intelligence gathering, while promising not to disclose the caller’s identity.
The government has also promised that it would continue to partner the Navy and Marine Police with necessary logistics in order to step up their security measures.
State Security Adviser, Jude Ngaji also assured them of the government’s prompt response to tackling the security challenge.
The fishermen and traders, on the other hand, are hopeful that the promised prompt intervention, would help them return to their businesses as soon as possible.
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