By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
Sports Equipment worth thousands of Naira have been carted away by unknown officials of the Cross River State Sports Commission.
Our investigations reveals that 133 shortput, 72 discous and other valuables were stolen at the U.J Esuene Stadium last month, resulting to the firing of two security men.
The sports equipment were bought under the governor Liyel Imoke’s administration meant for the National Sports Festival which Cross River State got the hosting rights but could not host due to paucity of funds.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission Comrade Emmanuel Elom told our Correspondent that it is true that some people have been arrested over the incident and the police are on top of the situation.
Ironically the two security men who were on duty when the incident happened were released and the matter taken from the area command Akim Police Station to the Anticult department at Cultural center complex.
As at the time of going to press, nobody has been charged to court.
Speaking on the matter, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) William Anderson said measure taken to dismiss the two security men without finding them guilty in a Court of law was normal since they are casual workers.
He said “proper investigations should be carried out to bring the culprit to Justice., This is an organised crime. This sports equipment were not taken in one day”.
Also speaking the stadium manager Mike Andotant, said it is somebody that knows about the usefulness of the equipment that stole it. It is a group something, for us to loose 133 Short put and 72 discous is not one-day something, I think the stadium security did not do their job properly.
The State Commissioner of Sports Ofu Anya confirmed the incident but however said the stadium is under the control of the Cross River State Sports Commission.
