Abia boosts fight against insecurity, donates 20 operational vehicles to security agencies
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has boosted the fight against insecurity in the state with the donation of 20 brand new Toyota Hilux trucks, equipped with modern gadgets to security agencies in the State.
Presenting the vehicles at the premises of the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, recalled that his government declared security as one of its priorities when he came on board.
Governor Otti explained that the 20 Hilux trucks were purchased by the State government for the various security agencies in the State to make operations of the law-enforcement agencies seamless.
“When we assumed the leadership of this State, 18 months plus ago, we made it very clear that security was topmost on our agenda. We understood clearly that every other thing that we wanted to do would amount to nothing if security was compromised”.
“We took a decision that we needed to support the security agencies with vehicles and other equipment to ensure that their job is seamless. It is in redemption of that promise that we have gathered today to hand over 20 brand new Toyota Hilux trucks, purchased by the State government, to our security agencies,” the Governor said.
“This is a way of appreciating the job you do, it is also a way of arming you so that you would be more effective and efficient,” he told the heads of the security agencies promising that his administration would continue to prioritize security and always give the security agencies in the state maximum support.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s achievements in improving Security since assumption of office, including the launch of Operation Crush, noting that the anti-crime inter-agency operation has played a critical role in tackling crime and restoring safety in areas previously over-run by criminals, particularly in Isuikwuato and Umunneochi local government areas.
He revealed that towns and villages previously inaccessible due to the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers have been reclaimed, thereby allowing residents to return to their communities.
“People who could not access their villages in several years were able to access their villages and actually spent Christmas last year in their villages and since then, we have continued to do the needful to ensure that our state is peaceful,” the Governor said.
While acknowledging isolated incidents involving criminals infiltrating the state, the Governor assured the public that his administration remains steadfast in its resolve to addressing security challenges.
He disclosed that the state has rejigged it’s security architecture and warned that Abia state would no longer be a safe haven for anyone who chooses to operate outside the law.
“We want to repeat the warning we gave that this place will not be accommodating to people who do not want to live according to the dictates of the law,” the Governor emphasized.
According to him, many of the criminals who tested the capacity of the state have been arrested.
While commending the efforts of the various security agencies, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating all forms of criminality and ensuring peace in the State. He advised the Service Commanders to warn their men to desist from any criminal activities, as well as extorting people.
Responding on behalf of the Service Commanders, the Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier-General O.O. Diya, assured that all the security agencies would intensify efforts in maintaining security in the State and implored residents to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies to rid the state of all forms of crimes and criminality.
.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support to the security agencies in the state and assured citizens that security operatives were fully prepared to respond to any threat in the State.
