Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has inaugurated “Operation Crush,” as part of the state government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration at the Trademore Event Center in Umuahia on Tuesday, July 8, 2023, Otti restated that his administration had zero tolerance for any form of criminality in any part of the state.
The governor stated that the initiative was a practical demonstration of the state government’s unflinching commitment to establishing peace and stability in the state, noting that security is the foundation for building enduring prosperity in a society.
According to him, the operation would be made up of a joint task force of security operatives, from the Nigerian Police Force, the Army, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Director of State Security and the the Nigerian Navy.
Otti noted that the special operation was set up technically, to swiftly identify, analyse and and respond to security threats, within and outside the state.
”As the codename indicates, the goal is to counter with necessary force, any incidence of kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violent crimes anywhere in the state.
“Special attention will be focused on flashpoints around communities within Umunneochi and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas with a firm determination to identify and clear all criminal hideouts.
”This will be done using the superiority of our arms and the operational expertise of the security personnel on this team.
“As you are aware, kidnappers and armed robbers have made economic and social activities almost impossible for thousands in those communities, restricted the movement of honest men and women, driven farmers out of their farmlands and several families away from their homes,” Otti said.
While condemning the recent attack on the Commissioner for Trade Commerce in the State, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, which led to the death of two security personnel, the governor promised that special attention would be focused on areas, such as Isuikwuato, Umunneochi, Umuahia, Aba and other flash points across the state, noting that innocent citizens had fallen victims to the activities of criminals in the areas.
