Otti Vows Tougher Measures against Resurgent Criminality - THISDAYLIVE
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has promised to tighten the noose on criminal elements that dare to carry out their nefarious activities in the state.
He said the state had been jolted by security breaches recorded “in the last few days” at parts of Umunneochi, Ugwunagbo and Isuikwuato Governments, hence the need for tougher action on the hoodlums.
Otti stated this during his monthly media chat for June, saying a soldier was killed when security agents raided a camp of dare devil criminals operating at Ugwunagbo LG.
“They (security agents) recovered so much, and unfortunately we lost a soldier,” he bemoaned, adding that, “The casualties on the part of the criminals were a whole lot, including the people we arrested. And we brought down the camp.”
The Abia governor had earlier in his administration launched “Operation Crush”, a combined security operation with which the insecurity situation that existed at Umunneochi and Isuikwuato axis was brought under control.
However, he noted that the hitherto routed criminals appeared to be rearing their ugly heads “to the extent that one of our commissioners was attacked on the stretch between Umunneochi and Umuahia stretch of the Enugu-Port Harcourt express way.
The attack on the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, according to the state police command, occurred at Ezinachi axis, which falls within Imo State.
Otti announced with gratitude that the attacked Commissioner “somehow” managed to escape unhurt, prompting government to take drastic action to beat back the resurgent security breaches.
“So what we have done is to double our efforts and make sure that we secure Umunneochi. And those who come from there will agree that in the last few days, things have changed drastically.
“It is our strong opinion that everything we do will succeed or fail on the altar of security, or lack of it thereof. So, we take security very, very serious.”
