Otti Tasks Security Agencies as Group Expresses Concern over  Crime Wave in Abia

Following a spate of criminalities in some parts of Abia State, Governor Alex Otti has given marching orders to the security agencies to ensure that “hard times await criminals” in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategic Communication, Prince Okey Kanu, said in a statement that Otti was determined to secure lives and properties, which is among the cardinal objectives of his government. 

“To this end, the governor has directed all security agencies operating in Abia state to deal decisively with those criminal elements who create unnecessary fear and panic among the citizenry,” he said.

The Otti administration, which is less than a month old, has already come under scathing criticisms over the crime situation in the state.

A group, Abia Renaissance Movement(ARM), alleged that the spate of criminal activities was due to  Otti’s “gross lack of capacity to sustain the security and peace bequeathed to Abians by the last administration”.

In a statement signed by its Convener,  Ukachukwu Chinonso, and its Secretary-General, Mrs. Maria Nwokoma,  ARM noted that it had before now “raised the alarm of the consequences of several of Otti’s ill-thought policies.”

According to the group, such bad policies it complained about could “trigger crime so early into (Otti’s) administration”, adding that the hen has come to roost with criminals already rearing their ugly heads.

But the Abia Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kazie Uko, disputed the claims of ARM, saying that “there is no upsurge” in crime in the real sense of it.

He said that the new administration found itself in a vacuous situation as the past government had abandoned governance after they lost the election, thereby creating a breathing space for criminal elements.

There were incidents of criminal activities involving car theft and reported kidnapping at the weekend in Umuahia and Aba. A Toyota  Camry black in colour belonging to Vanguard Correspondent, Steve Oko was stolen on Saturday from where it was parked.

The car with registration number UY 641 KJA and chassis number 4T1BG22K5VU0048     was stolen at Ogbodi Ukwu in Umuahia South Local Government during the burial ceremony of the late father of a colleague.

Despite the activities of criminals, Governor Otti’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communication insisted that “a secured Abia is possible”. He assured Ndi Abia that the government would not relent in its efforts to checkmate the undesirable elements.

Kanu said that government was soliciting the cooperation of “our traditional rulers president generals of our Town Unions  and landlords “to partner with the state government to ensure a crime-free Abia within their domains.”  

“Securing our environment from criminals is a task for every Abian.  Eternal vigilance , provision of information and cooperation with the security agencies to flush out criminals is the patriotic duty of all Abians,”  Kanu said.