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| Protesters during the protest |
By Williams Akpan , Calabar
The Tech and Gadgets Dealers Union of Cross River State in Calabar Metropolis are sounding the alarm over a disturbing trend of thefts targeting their shops.
Business owners in the Calabar area have reported losing goods valued at an estimated N700 million due to a series of burglaries that have escalated since December 2024.
Addressing their concerns on Wednesday, affected shop owners took to the streets, marching with Placards detailing their plight with the above inscriptions.
"Business cannot function in Unsaved Environment" "Phone and Gadgets shops are shutting down" "There is no Patrol teams in the City of Calabar from 6 am-12am, the criminals has their easy Ride on" "A cry for one businessman is a cry for all" "We pay our taxes so our business should be protected, end Armed Robbery in Calabar" "Save our business, save our source of livelihood, help us, Governor Otu,"
In an interview with our reporter, Okoro Uchennya, CEO of Chidon Communications, shared a harrowing account of loss.
He revealed that items worth N400 million were stolen from his two shops at 49 Eta Agbor and 38 Marian Road.
"I was shocked to find everything missing when I arrived at my shop on December 10 and 11," he recalled.
Uchennya expressed his frustration over the lack of police intervention following his report, stating that his life has been irrevocably altered since the incident.
"Since then, my life has not been the same. I urge the government to enhance security measures so we can operate without fear."
George Nwosu, CEO of George Gadgets on 45 Eta Agbor Road, lamented that his store was burglarized twice—on January 1 and February 3, 2025—resulting in losses amounting to N40 million.
"I did file a report, but I am yet to recover any of the stolen items," Nwosu lamented, maintaining that the limitations of his shop's security, which includes CCTV technology and a safe.
Paschal Obi, CEO of MOC Gadgets, expressed anxiety about the ongoing threats, noting that while he has not yet been targeted, a friend's nearby store was burglarized in close proximity to a security post.
Stressing that there urgent need for better security, as collective losses from these incidents have already surpassed N700 million.
"Our businesses are at risk. We rely on loans and support many employees," Obi said.
The Tech and Gadgets Union has called on authorities to act swiftly, warning that without improved security, they may have no option than to relocate to other cities with stricter security safety measures.
Efforts to contact State Police Public Relations Officer Irene Ugbo for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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