Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu of prioritising the security of himself and his family while residents living in the same estate as the governor allegedly suffer repeated burglaries.

 

Atiku made the allegation in a statement published on his official X account, where he criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration over what he described as unequal security arrangements in Calabar.

 

The former vice-president, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claimed that armed policemen and two roadblocks had been deployed around Otu’s private residence, while other residents in the estate continued to experience security breaches.

 

According to Atiku, some residents had complained about burglars breaking into their homes and making away with household valuables, including an air conditioner and a freezer.

 

He also alleged that two houses on a nearby street were attacked by robbers the previous week, despite the heavy security presence around the governor’s residence.

 

“In Calabar, the neighbours of Cross River’s APC governor say robbers are breaking into their homes in the same estate where armed police and two roadblocks guard the governor’s private residence,” Atiku wrote.

 

“One resident lost his air conditioner and freezer. Another says robbers attacked two houses on a nearby street only last week.”

 

## Atiku Questions Otu’s Security Priorities

 

Atiku argued that the reported incidents raised questions about the state government’s approach to protecting ordinary residents, particularly those living close to the governor’s heavily guarded residence.

 

He accused the administration of concentrating security resources on the governor while failing to provide adequate protection for people in the surrounding neighbourhood.

 

“This is security, APC style: two roadblocks for the governor, and none for the people next door,” he stated.

 

The former vice-president also questioned why Otu had continued to operate from his private residence almost three years into his administration, while the official Government House remained under renovation.

 

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He maintained that residents should not be left vulnerable to criminal activities simply because they do not occupy positions of power.

 

Atiku further extended his criticism beyond Calabar, questioning the ability of the APC-led government to protect communities in rural areas if residents living close to the governor’s residence were allegedly experiencing insecurity.

 

“If the APC cannot secure the street beside the governor, what does it offer the villages beyond the capital?” he asked.

 

## Atiku Proposes Police Reforms

 

Using the reported incidents to highlight his proposed approach to tackling insecurity, Atiku called for a fundamental reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

 

He said the police should move away from what he described as a regime-protecting institution and become a citizen-focused public service capable of providing security across communities.

 

The ADC presidential candidate also proposed expanding the police force towards an international benchmark of one police officer for every 450 citizens.

 

“I will transform the police from a regime-protecting force into a citizen-focused public service, and I will expand the force towards the international standard of one officer for every four hundred and fifty citizens, so that protection reaches every street, not only the powerful,” he stated.

 

He added that his proposed security reforms would include the establishment of community-based security and intelligence networks to strengthen cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies.

 

According to him, such arrangements would allow communities to identify suspicious activities and alert security agencies before criminal incidents occur.

 

“I will also build community-based security and intelligence networks, so that neighbourhoods can raise the alarm before the thieves arrive,” he said.

 

Atiku concluded his criticism with a remark that security arrangements should protect entire communities rather than concentrate on those in positions of authority.

 

“Security that stops at the governor’s gate is not security; it is a fence,” he added.

 

The allegations have brought renewed attention to concerns about residential security and the protection of communities in Cross River State. However, the claims about burglaries and security arrangements in the estate were presented by Atiku, and no response from the Cross River State Government was included in his statement.