Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pledged to revamp the state’s security architecture and flush out criminal elements following recent attacks on security personnel in the state.
Otti made this known on Saturday after an emergency security council meeting convened to address the situation.
He assured residents of the government’s determination to restore safety and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The governor said, “We have critically reviewed the security framework of the state, and I am pleased to announce that we have resolved to rejig it to ensure that these kinds of attacks become a thing of the past.
“We have also taken decisive steps to identify and uproot criminal elements wherever they may be hiding. Let me assure you that we are fully prepared, with the backing of the security agencies, to deal with them accordingly.”*
Otti warned criminals operating in Abia, declaring that the state would no longer serve as a haven for them.
“If you are a criminal in Abia State, whether you call yourself a bandit, a kidnapper, or anything else, this state will not be safe for you. That is the warning,” he declared.
The governor reassured residents, visitors, and investors that his administration was committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
“I want to assure everyone in Abia that the government is more than capable of addressing any security challenges. No one should live in fear because we are doing everything possible to protect everyone living or visiting the state,” he stated.
The governor also extended his condolences to the Nigerian Army and police over the loss of personnel in recent attacks at Ekenobizi, Ubakala, and Ohafia.
He promised to visit the families of the deceased and ensure that such tragedies would not repeat themselves.