Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during the briefing on Monday
Abia, not for criminals, we will not allow them any space – Kanu
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
In the wake of the recent security situations in the state, Abia State government says it was taking measures to end the menace, assuring that it would not yield an inch of the state’s territory to hoodlums but would rather provide adequate security for the people.
The measures include overhauling the state’s security architecture and partnering with the military and other security agencies to ensure water-tight security in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, stated this while briefing the journalists on the outcome of this week’s state Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
“As a responsible government, the administration will continue to take the security of lives and property of Abians very seriously.
“As the yuletide approaches, the State Government wishes to reassure Abians that Government will stop at nothing to ensure that lives and property of Abians are protected. The state Government will not yield any part of the State to criminals.
Prince Kanu disclosed that the Nigeria Army recently launched a security operation codenamed ‘Udoka.” He said that the operation is to ensure the peace and protection of lives and property of Abians and residents during the yuletide and even beyond.
“What that means is that in the days and weeks ahead, security agencies will be very visible around the state. By this announcement, we are assuring Abians that they (security men) are out there for their (Abians) own good and all that the government requires from Abians is cooperation and their readiness to avail the security agencies with necessary information about security breaches around the state,” Kanu said.
Recall that following the recent killing of three soldiers by yet-to-identified assailants at Ekenobizi in Umuopara of Umuahia South local government area, killing of a Police Orderly Of Hon. Gonger Onwusibe representing Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives at Ubakala in Umuahia South and killing of two Policemen at Ohafia, Governor Alex Otti had convened a Security Council meeting at the end of which he announced that government has resolved to rejig the security architecture of the State.
Addressing newsmen after the emergency Security Council meeting, in response to the recent attacks on security personnel in the State, Governor Otti said that they have taken a decision to smoke out criminal elements in the State.
“We have all sat down to look at the security architecture of the State and I am happy that we have resolved to rejig the security architecture to ensure that something like these (attacks) will be a thing of the past.
“We also have taken a decision to smoke out all the criminal elements from wherever they are hiding. We are happy to assure you that we can deal with them accordingly. We have the commitment of the security agencies. We have also agreed to redouble our efforts in various areas where there are possibilities of attacks,” the Governor said.
He sternly warned criminal elements that Abia would not be safe for them.
“We want to give a notice. If you are a criminal in Abia State, whether you call yourself bandit or kidnapper, whatever you call yourself, this place will not be safe for you. So that is the warning”. Gov. Otti said.
He opined that the recent unfortunate attacks should not be taken as the current situation in Abia and reassured Abia people, residents and visitors that the government was more than competent to deal with security challenges in the State.
He urged the people not to be afraid, assuring that the government would do everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property of everyone living or visiting the State.
Governor Alex Otti commiserated with the Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police on the unfortunate incidents and attack on their men at Ekenobizi, Ubakala and Ohafia and assured that such would not repeat itself.
