Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, yesterday, inaugurated a security outfit tagged: “Operation Crush” (OC) to address increasing cases of kidnappings, armed robberies and other crimes in the state.
The governor also distributed 20 patrol vans fitted with communication gadgets for security agencies in the state.
Speaking during the event at Okpara Square Events Centre in Umuahia, the state capital, Otti said Operation Crush was a planned and coordinated response against crime in line with his resolve to end the crime rate in the state.
According to him, the outfit will address crimes anywhere in the state by identifying criminals’ hideouts and counter incidences with superior tools.
He lamented that many citizens and passers-by had fallen victims of crimes in the state, especially kidnapping, in which they lost their lives and property, and reportedly paid huge sums as ransoms to regain their freedom.
Otti said the scenario had negatively impacted on security of life and property, investments, as well as scared potential investors.
He listed Ummunnechi, Isuikwuato, Uturu, and Lokpaukwu axis as the most vulnerable, saying economic activities have been shut down in the areas as criminals set up camps in the bushes.
He said: “From today, Abia State will no longer share our territory with criminals. Criminals should leave our state immediately or risk decimation by our superior forces.”
The governor tasked the outfit to dislodge the criminals from their hideouts, be ruthless to them and those that harbour them and give them assistance.
He said the state government is collaborating with the Federal Government towards improving the welfare of security personnel.
Otti, who urged stakeholders in the state to collaborate to ensure security and the desired success of Operation Crush in the state, said telephone hotlines would immediately be circulated through which security agencies in the state could be contacted with necessary information, adding that the other logistics would be deployed to Local Councils and communities in the state.
Responding, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Chukwuemelie, on behalf of the state security service commanders, namely: Friday Ohuche of the Department of State Service (DSS), Brigadier-General N.J Edet of the 14 Brigade Nigeria Army base at Ohafia, Commander Sylvester Ogujo of the Navy and Commander Paul Igwebuike of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), commended the governor for committing to address insecurity in the state.
Also, a traditional ruler in Igbere, Bende Local Council, Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu, commended the state governor for introducing Operation Crush, expressing optimism that if all stakeholders and security agencies collaborate, and do the needful sustainably, kidnapping, armed robberies and other crimes would be curtailed in the state.
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