As part of efforts to eradicate kidnapping across Abia state, the Commissioner of Police,CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, in company of the SA to the Governor on Security, Macdonald Uba Rtd, during the weekend, led a team of Operation Crush security agents to Umunneochi LGA of the state.
The team also visited two schools in Lekwesi Community, Umunneochi, where kidnappers had taken control to conduct their heinous activities
CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie who spoke to Newsmen during the tour, commended Governor Alex Otti for the effective measures his administration is taking to address security challenges since assumption of office.
He praised Governor Otti for the positive impact of good governance on security, and acknowledged the collaboration among security agencies in combating criminal elements in the state.
The Police Commissioner berated past administrations for failing to construct the schools and noted that any structure offering cover could be exploited for hiding kidnapped victims.
He emphasized the link between good governance, infrastructural development, and improved security adding that there is a connection between good governance and security.
CP Onwuemelie who acknowledged the vastness of the entire area, highlighted the risk and pointed out that culverts concealed within bushy areas could potentially be utilized to hide kidnapped victims.
He said the schools visited have been dilapidated for a long time, and noted that reconstruction of the schools would make it difficult for criminals to make use of them as dens.
“There is a connection between good governance and security. We can tell you that from what we have experienced in the past seven months, good governance has come back to Abia.
“Beyond that or in addition to that, you can see collaboration among security forces, the military, Police and all other security agencies are working hand in glove with the support of this government.
“We assure the people of Abia State that we would put in our best to make sure that the vision of the Governor for a safe and secure Abia State is accomplished,” the CP said.
Also Speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Commander Macdonald Uba (Rtd), said the kidnappers took advantage of undeveloped roads around the schools which successive administrations failed to construct, as den for their criminal activities.
He assured that the present administration would construct the roads leading to the schools and reactivate the schools “so that the kidnappers would have to leave the environment”.
Uba, urged the people of the community to support the state government’s efforts in security by giving timely information to security operatives.
Contributing, the Mayor of Umunneochi LGA, Mr. Ndubuisi Ike, said there has been a significant reduction in kidnappings under Governor Otti’s administration and expressed gratitude to the Governor and the joint security agencies for the support received.
He said they want to leverage technology to ensure that the incidences of kidnapping in the area are dealt with.
Some members of the community, including Stephen Udeogu, Mr. Njoku Augustine, and Chief Anthony Akuma, while giving accounts of the once-peaceful community life disrupted by the onset of kidnapping incidents, said the invasion of Lekwesi Secondary School by kidnappers, prompted the relocation of students to Lekwesi Primary School where the kidnappers also expelled pupils and seized both schools for use as their kidnap hideouts.
They expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his efforts to combat the menace, and pledged the cooperation of the Umunneochi community with the government and security forces to ensure the complete security of their communities.
