Abia Will No Longer Be A Haven For Criminals, Terrorists – Gov. Otti Warns

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Certainly unnerved by the recent spate of violent attacks and killings, the Abia State Government has vowed to go tough on perpetrators.

This is even as it served quit notice on terrorists and other criminal elements to relocate from the state

Rising from an emergency security Council Meeting at the weekend, Governor Alex Otti warned that the State will not watch helplessly as some misguided elements continue to make life difficult for innocent Abia residents.

The Source reports that between November 13 and last week, there have been no fewer than four of  such deadly attacks, majorly targeted at security operatives and high profile political actors.

At the last count, three soldiers, three  police operatives, lost their lives; and others severely injured.

There was, yet, another attack on a military checkpoint in Ekenobisi Umuokpara on Wednesday November 13, the most  most audacious of all the attacks.

Four days later, an ambush and attack on the convoy of Hon Ginger Onwusibe, Member, representing the Isiala Ngwa South/North Federal Constituency, resulted in the death of one of his Police security details and another seriously injured.

Only late last week, hoodlums also attacked  a stop and search Police Team in the Ohafia area of the State, leading to the killing of one of the operatives, with another  seriously battling to remain alive.

The unprecedented security challenge was enough to drag the state Government and the opposition into the trenches, with both sides trading blames.

The Governor who was away to the United States of America ,USA, where he was a guest lecturer at Yale University, at the time most of the attacks occurred, accused the opposition of orchestrating the security debacle to distract his administration.

The opposition, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has since  rejected the allegation, describing it as a mere bulk passing exercise by a clearly overwhelmed administration.

Governor Otti who briefed the media at the end of the Security Council  meeting, hurriedly convened after his return back to the  State, reassured Abia residents of his administration’s commitment towards tackling security challenges.

He informed that Council after, a careful review of the situation, resolved to rejig the security framework of the State.

According to him, the Council took a decision to take the battle to the hoodlums’ den. He assured that all criminal elements within the state will be fished out from their enclaves.

The Governor further informed that the State will no longer be allowed to serve as a haven for criminal elements under whatever guise .

He explained  that the overall aim of restructuring the security architecture is to avoid a repeat of the horrendous attacks that have been visited on the state of late by non state actors .

While commiserating with the families, relations and friends of those who lost their lives in the attacks, Governor Otti, reassured the residents ,and visitors, including investors of the readiness of his administration to adequately protect lives and properties.