Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Christian Ita has described Sahara Reporters as a cesspool of lies and a journalism junkyard from where lies are fabricated against public figures who are not considered friends.
Ita was reacting to Sahara Reporters alleged attempt at mischief while reporting the arrest of the suspected notorious criminal, Kingsley Utomobong.
He said what online medium did was the height of reckless and irresponsible journalism. “Blackmail and falsehood have not only become the staple diet of Sahara Reporters but a defining feature of its ugly practice of journalism. So this latest effort was nothing but a sensationalisation of falsehood.
“The general public is no stranger to Sahara Reporters well-worn journalism style of creating villains out of prominent persons it considers as not patronising. And so, this latest mischief is one in a series of a litany of blackmails and idiotic brand of journalism.
“Until the launch of Operation Akpakwu, a security outfit established to flush out criminals in the state by Governor Ayade, the suspected criminal, Utomobong had been slipping through security networks. His arrest was made possible through the new security outfit. But this laudable effort was conveniently glossed over by Sahara Reporters all in its fiendish desire to mislead the public.
Also Read: Ozekhome gives Sahara reporter 7 days to withdraw defamatory publication
“The tracking of the suspect through an abandoned SIM card, culminating in his arrest, was through the cutting edge tracking devices provided the security outfit by the Governor.
“Governor Ayade is working very hard to rid the state of criminals and criminality and those who live in the state can attest to this fact with security patrol vehicles visible at every strategic location.
“During the launch of Operation Akpakwu, Governor Ayade handed over 100 patrol vehicles fitted with cutting edge communication gadgets, 10 power bikes and drones to the outfit.
“In essence, security agents in the state now enjoy the benefit of technology, including surveillance from the sky.
“So far, close to 300 suspected criminals have been arrested in just a matter of days. The crackdown on criminals in the state is on and no jaundiced write-up will deter the Governor from fulfilling his promise to return Calabar in particular to the paradise it once was,” Ita stated.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
