In a bid to improve security service delivery and tackle the surge of criminal activities within Abia state especially during the Yuletide season, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called on members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to join hand with government to rid the state of all forms of vices.
Governor Ikpeazu made the call when he received a delegation of the new State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Abia State command, Commandant Vincent Ogu and his team at Government House Umuahia.
Ikpeazu who described Security as an enabler to his adminstration’s five pillars of government,noted that no meaningful development can be achieved in an insecure environment.
He pointed out that cultism has become a major factor in promoting crime in the society, and decried the weak criminal justice system with regards to cultism, urging the NSCDC to rise up to the occasion and join the state government to stamp out cultism and all forms of social vices in the state.
The Governor who stated that he understands the strategic important is the NSCDC,called for their support in protecting critical government infrastructure in the State.
While stressing the need for the Civil Defence Corps to be a step ahead in crime prevention, the governor assured his administration will support the NSCDC and intergrate them into the states Crime Prevention and Management System (CPAMS) platform for effective crime fighting.
Earlier in his speech, the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Abia State command,Vincent Ogu said he assumed duties as the 10th Commandant of the NSCDC in the State.
He said he was pleased with the level of support the Corps is enjoying under the administration of Governor Ikpeazu including provision of operational hilux vans and logistics among others, and urged the Governor to continue prioritizing issues concerning security.
He implored Governor Ikpeazu to consider setting up a joint task force comprising the police, army and civil defence “to carry out Stop andSearch operations at the boarders of Abia state with a view to Securing the state and pointed out that the Corps has identified dark spots and stationed men to boost security in such areas.
Ogu, promised that he would work closely with government and relevant stakeholders to change the security narrative and reduce crime to the barest minimum.
He commended the Governor for the flag off of the Crime Prevention and Management System (CPAMS) and the establishment of Homeland Security ministry to boost security in the State.
