Cross River State Government has made a special request to the Federal Government to draft troops to Uyanga forest in Akamkpa Council and to deploy Tucano aircraft to check kidnapping and criminal activities in the state.

The state Governor, Ben Ayade, who made the request, yesterday, in a statement signed by him, condemned the attack and kidnapping of motorists and commuters along Akamkpa-Ugep axis of the Calabar-lkom Highway.

He said: “While we appreciate the commendable success so far recorded in the rescue operation, which is still ongoing, such acts of criminality cannot and will not be allowed to take root in our state, as we are determined to ensure the incident is the last on our soil.

“Our heart goes out to the victims and their families of this heinous crime, which has violated the innocence of our state.

“We have made a request to the Federal Government to draft more troops to the Uyanga forest as well as the deployment of a Tucano aircraft. Additionally, we have activated the Homeland Security outfit and have engaged local hunters to assist in a private para-military capacity.”