Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to collaborating closely with the Nigerian Army to ensure the security of the State.
Governor Otti made this known when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and other Senior officers who accompanied him to Abia on a routine visit to areas under the 82 division of the Nigeria Army.
The Governor who underscored the critical need for security to attract the much needed inflow of Foreign Direct Investments for the state’s development, emphasized that security is paramount for the prosperity and growth of Abia and the entire South East Zone.
He acknowledge the support provided by the Military in addressing security challenges in Abia and the South East and disclosed that the Governors would converge to collectively address security concerns in the South East region.
Otti said; “Our people want security. If you do not have security, you can not talk about investment. Security very important.
“If you are not secured, you cannot operate not to talk of inflow of Foreign Direct Investments which we badly require to develop the state so security is very critical and central to the development of the state.
“I believe that in no distance future, we will be sitting down with you again as South East Governors. Because if you solve the security problem in Abia, and then there’s security issue in Ebonyi,Enugu or Imo, then the problem has not been solved.
“We have collectively as Governor’s forum, decided to tackle security in the South East Zone and your visit has further strengthened our resolve to do whatever we can do to partner with you and work together to secure not just Abia but the South East”.
The Governor noted that the implementation of “Operation Crush”; a special inter-agency operation launched by his administration and led by the army, has yielded positive results in restoring peace and normalcy across the state.
Otti who highlighted the collaboration of the state Government with the Nigerian Army, commended them for their invaluable support in dealing with security concerns, particularly in Lokpanta, Umunneochi Local Government Area as well as other parts of the state.
Governor Otti narrated successful interventions, including a strategic raid in Umunneochi and securing of the Cattle Market, which had been identified as a hotspot for kidnapping activities.
“We have worked together with the military as partners and brothers. Anytime we call them, they respond immediately, please extend our gratitude to them.
“We are very happy with the relationship we have and that is why any time they have any need; Infrastructure or vehicle, to the best of our ability, we try to meet them irrespective of the economic situation”, Governor Otti said.
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Officers and commander of the 14 Brigade for their support noting that government will continue to partner them to ensure the security and prosperity of Abia State.
Earlier, Lt Gen. Lagbaja while noting that he was in Abia state on a working visit as part of his tour of the Army formation and units in the South East, commended Governor Otti for the tremendous improvement experienced in the security situation of the state and its immeasurable support toward the successful operation of the Nigerian Army in Abia.
Lagbaja pledged “the readiness, willingness and availability of the formations and units of 14 Brigade and other Nigeria Assets deployed around Abia area to support the government of the state”.
He further said that the Army would continue to assist the state government to ensure that the security situation in Abia would continue to improve in order to provide an enabling environment for economic activities and development to thrive.
Lagbaja thanked the Governor for the warm and cordial relationship between the Army and the state government and solicited continuous collaboration with the Nigerian Army to enable them deliver on their constitutional responsibility.
