Abia State Governor,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has called for collaboration and synergy among security agencies within the South East Zone with a view to tackling cross-border crimes within the geo political zone.
Governor Ikpeazu made the call, Thursday in Umuahia, during the official launch of the Abia State Security Fund and commencement of the Security Support and Residents’ Card which seeks to assist security agents identify genuine residents as well as enable them control crime rate within the state.
He noted that Abia is situated at the centre of seven South East and South South States with tendencies of security challenges as being witnessed in the State and across other States of the federation.
The Governor raised concerns on the new trend of crime along Lokpanta and Isuikwuato axis of the State where lecturers, students, the clergy and other innocent commuters have become victims of violent crimes being perpetrated by persons suspected to be aliens who use the Lokpanta Market as base.
While noting that the card is customized with security features which insulates residents from cyber fraud and forgery, Governor Ikpeazu disclosed plans by his administration to integrate both the Abia State Social Identity Number and the Resident Card platforms for more synergy.
He therefore called on Abia residents to help government drive the initiative by enrolling and obtaining their security support and Resident cards pointing out that the huge tele density made the State to enrol in telehealth which the state is leveraging to ensure residents acquire the security cards.
Governor Ikpeazu commended the immediate past Governor of the State and Senator Representing Abia Central, Senator Theodore Orji for instituting the Security support Fund during his administration, as a platform to help raise financial support for the security architecture in the onerous task of securing the lives and property of Abians and her residents.
He also thanked the organizers of the programme for a job well done saying that Abia has become the first State in Nigeria to embrace digital security cards for identifying her citizens.
Also speaking, the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyị, represented by a Former Director DSS, Abia state command, Mr. Mathew Obodoechi stressed the need for synergy among the Governors and security agencies in the South East as well as information sharing among the conventional security agencies and lauded Governor Ikpeazu for taking a bold step to enhance security in Abia State.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion and Senator representing Abia Central at the National Assembly, Senator Theodore Orji while describing security as the primary function of Government said that security threats such as kidnapping, Banditry,Armed robbery, Farmer/ Herder clashes among others,require necessary human resources and equipments to contain and reduce them to the barest minimum.
He noted that there is need for all to support Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the government of Abia State morally and financially in sustaining the security legacy which he bequeathed to the State.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem stated that the initiative is the first of its kind which is backed by law and earlier assented to by the State Governor.
He said Nigeria is facing security challenges in every part of the country but expressed joy that Governor Ikpeazu who has ensured Abia is secured assuring that the State would not relent achieving the needed security and urged all to acquire the resident card.
The Coordinator of the Abia State Security Fund, Mr Darlington Anyanwu while giving an overview of the Security Support and Resident Card said the initiative is created to source funds and equipment from stakeholders to support and complement the state government’s efforts in providing adequate security to Abia residents as well as ensure that all security agencies perform their statutory role efficiently and effectively without hitch.
He explained that the Abia State Social Identity Number earlier launched by the State government is different from the Security Support and Resident Card, adding that the former is geared towards collating statistics from all residents of the state for planning, addressing unemployment issues and demographic distribution of infrastructure and resources among others.
The event featured the presentation of the Abia State Security support and Resident Card to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
