Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has stated that there will be no hiding place for criminals again especially around the Umunnechi and Isuikwuato axis of the State, which halted socio-economic activities and made people flee their homes and farmlands.
“Today we say never again. We shall no longer share one inch of our territory with criminals and their sponsors; from this day, I announce to those who delight in bringing pain to families and communities that no part of the state shall be safe for them again.
“They can only accept one of two options; to leave the state in a hurry or be crushed by the series of mechanisms we have put in place to track and decisively speak to them in the one language they can understand: the language of superior force.
“We shall neither negotiate nor concede anything to anyone threatening the peace and security of innocent citizens.”
He said this on Tuesday at the launch of the joint security initiative codenamed, Operation Crush, constituted by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Directorate of State Security, and the Nigerian Navy.
Governor Otti revealed that special attention would be given to specifically identified flashpoints within the Isuikwuato and Umunneochi axis, which have become the hotbed of different forms of criminalities, ranging from kidnapping and armed robbery.
He cautioned security agents involved in the exercise against harassing innocent citizens, saying they would be held accountable for any act of overzealousness.
“To be clear, while the security agents have been directed to be hard and unforgiving on the criminals, doing whatever is necessary to restore law and order, especially in the already identified flashpoints, they have also been reminded to guard against any form of exuberances that could result in the harassment of innocent citizens.
“The officials in charge of the operations in various zones shall be held responsible for any form of harassment and abuses reported against their men. Your charge is simple: dislodge criminals from their hideouts and make the state secure for law-abiding citizens,” he cautioned.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kazie Uko disclosed that about 30 brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles, fitted with communication and other security equipment were bought for the exercise as the financial expert revealed that intelligence gathering is the key to the success of the exercise.
Citizens were also advised to call either of the hotlines: 09091141111 and 09091131111 for acts relating to kidnapping and other related crimes.
