Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, stated that revenge is not the right expression but to smoke out the terrorists who apparently came from outside the State to destabilize the good things happening in the State.
“I heard when the army talked about revenge, I think the right expression should have been that we will smoke out the criminals and deal with them.
“It is not even possible for the good Abia people that I lead to be involved in this. We suspect, even though that I don’t have proof that they are people that came from outside to destabilise the good things happening in Abia and we will not let them go scot free.”
He stated this when he paid a visit at the headquarters of the 144 Infantry Battalion of the Nigeria Army in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area, on Saturday, on a condolence visit to the wives of the slain soldiers, commiserated with the army.
In a statement made available by his Chief Press Secretary Kazie Uko, Governor Otti thanked the Nigeria Army for reducing the tension that enveloped the State and assured the wives of the slain soldiers that they have been adopted and stated that there are plans to provide automatic scholarship for their children.
“I’m happy that you listened to my call that we de-escalate the tension and I really want to thank you. Aba was on lockdown, but as soon as we had our meeting and we spoke, you reduced the tension and de-accelerated the tension. I really want to thank you.
“The reason I came here (144 Battalion) today is to sympathise with you; to let you know that I feel your pain and I can understand what you’re going through at this time.
“On behalf of the government and people of Abia State, I want to assure you that we are behind you. We know that the military high command will also look after you, but because your husband’s died here in Abia, we have adopted you as daughters of Abia and your children as children of Abia.
“We have also put a plan in place to ensure that your children would get automatic scholarship until they finish university. From today, until they graduate, they have become the responsibility of the Abia State Government and we’re going to make it a law so that even when I leave somebody else will not stop it,” Governor Otti declared.
Earlier, the Brigade Commander, Brig-General Diya said the army were not relenting in their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous act, disclosing that they have been gathering intelligence to bring whoever that is directly or remotely connected to the killing to book.
He recalled that two operational vehicles belonging to the army were burnt, weapons carted away, while five personnel lost their lives during the unfortunate attack.
The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the Chief of staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; among other government functionaries, accompanied the Governor on the visit.
