Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has handed over 20 Brand New Toyota Hilux Trucks, purchased by the State Government to the various Security Agencies in the State.
The initiative which highlights the present administration’s commitment to enhancing security across the State, also underscores the Government’s commitment in maintaining the progress achieved in fostering a peaceful and secure environment for all residents, particularly during the Yuletide season.
Speaking at the handover Ceremony in Umuahia, Governor Otti, who commended the efforts of the various Security Agencies, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating all forms of criminality and ensuring peace in the state.
The Governor explained that the 20 Hilux trucks, purchased by the State Government for the various Security Agencies in the state is aimed at ensuring “seamless operations”, for law enforcement.
“When we assumed the leadership of this state, eighteen months plus a few days ago, we made it very clear that security was topmost on our agenda.
“We understood clearly that everyother 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 Twenty Brand New Toyota Hilux trucks, purchased by the State Government to our Security Agencies.
“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“, the Governor stated.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s achievements in improving Security since assumption of office, including the launch of Operation Crush, noting that the interagency operation has played a critical role in tackling crime and restoring safety in areas previously overrun by criminals, particularly in Isuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs.
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 noted.
While acknowledging isolated incidents involving criminals infiltrating the state, the Governor assured the public that his administration remains steadfast in its resolve to address Security challenges.
He used the opportunity to disclose 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 that 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”, he said.
Governor Otti who emphasized that his administration’s unwavering support to Security Agencies in the state, however urged them to uphold professionalism and warned against misconduct, including extortion and the unlawful treatment of citizens.
“I want to also use this opportunity to tell our security agencies that this government is single minded in supporting you and you should go about doing what you have to do, knowing fully well that you have a government that will support you 100 percent.
“We also need to employ you to ensure that particularly at this time, when we have redoubled security that your men are warned so that they don’t also get involved with criminality including extortion, and dealing with people in a way that is not in accordance with the law.
Responding on behalf of other Security Agencies in the State, the Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General O.O. Diya, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support of the State’s Security architecture.
Brigadier Gen. Diya assured that all Security Agencies would intensify efforts to maintain Abia as a model of safety and security for other States to emulate and employed citizens cooperate with law enforcement agencies to rid the state of all forms of crime and criminality.
Speaking in an interview with National Ambassador, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Abia State, Akinsola Aderemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba RTD, lauded the state government for its commitment to security enhancement, stressing that the synergy among all security agencies would ensure a safer environment for residents.
They assured citizens that security forces are fully prepared to respond to any threats, and called on the public to cooperate with the agencies in identifying suspicious activities,
