We will no longer tolerate people playing politics with lives of Abians – Otti’s Media aide
*Says Govt has evolved new anti-crime strategy
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has warned that it would no longer tolerate people who play politics with the lives of Abians but would henceforth deal squarely with those perpetrating and perpetuating all manner of violent crimes in the state.
The stern warning is contained in a statement by an aide to Governor Alex Otti, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Monday.
Ekeoma, who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity,
in the statement titled: “ Promoters Of Violence And Insecurity In Abia Will Pay A Heavy Price,” alleged that unpatriotic politicians, in connivance with some external parties, were behind the current wave of violence and crime in the state.
Recall that since May 30, 2024, a number of security operatives have been killed in fatal attacks by gunmen, the latest being that of last Wednesday at a military checkpoint at Ekenobizi in Umuopara zone of Umuahia South local government area which claimed lives three soldiers.
It is against the backdrop of the latest bizarre incident that the state government said series of tip-offs from patriotic citizens and reliable intelligence have exposed perpetrators of the heinous acts.
“Following series of tip-offs from patriotic citizens and reliable intelligence, it has been firmly established that some unpatriotic politicians, in connivance with some external parties, are behind the current wave of violence and crime in the state since the end of May this year.
“The sole agenda is to cause disaffection and distract the government from its focus on the development of the state,” the Governor’s aide alleged in the statement.
“Government wishes to strongly warn that anyone that attempts to play politics with the lives and property of innocent Abians should be ready to face the consequences, as government will no longer tolerate such acts, no matter who is behind them,” he added.
He said those he accused of involvement in these violent crimes resorted to this strategy when they (suspects) “realised that their initial efforts at churning out lies and fabrications against the government in pretentious posturing as ‘opposition’ have failed to gain currency amongst Abia people who have thoroughly ignored them and their antics, since they know the truth.”
He reiterated that although the present administration was peace-loving, “devoid of involvement in politics of violence, division and destruction, it must be noted that government will not yield to blackmail or intimidation,” and would therefore “will not sit idly by and watch any person or group of persons unleash violence on innocent and peace-loving citizens of the state.”
Having taken enough, and in line with its avowed determination to protect every inch of Abia territory and her people, Mr. Ekeoma said government, henceforth “will bring its full capacity and institutional forces to bear in order to smoke out “those behind the attacks on security agents and innocent civilians, including kidnapping of law-abiding citizens with a view to creating anarchy and instill fear in the minds of Abians and visitors, after their failure to use lies and propaganda to incite Abians.”
The Special Adviser revealed that the state government has launched “a new Counter Offensive, to decimate every structure of terror erected or being erected in any Abia territory by criminals.”
In this wise, he advised citizens against harbouring any person or persons they do not know, to avoid falling victims of government’s new anti-crime strategy.
According to him, “kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual killings and other criminal activities and heinous crimes” were “sacrilegious activities,” and “alien to the culture of our people.” He therefore appealed to Abians to cooperate with the government and security agencies to get rid of all criminal elements “desirous of polluting” the land with their nefarious activities.
Mr Ekeoma assured Abians that “the state government, led by Governor Alex Otti, is prepared and equal to the task of safeguarding the lives and property of people living in any part of Abia State and will execute this noble obligation to the fullest without let or hindrance,” and enjoined “all innocent and peace-loving Abia residents to go about their legitimate businesses without fear or panic.”
He urged Community leaders and traditional leaders to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate actions, while calling on parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and loved ones, “in order to ensure they do not indulge in any form of criminal activities, as government will not yield to any form of emotional blackmail or appeal in any matter of established criminality.”
