The Abia State Government has accused opposition politicians of masterminding the recent spate of attacks on army personnel in the state, alleging collusion with external forces to destabilise the region.
This accusation follows the killing of two soldiers last Wednesday at a checkpoint in Ekenobizi, Umuopara, a border community between Abia and Imo States in Umuahia South Local Government Area.
The government’s position was outlined in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, which was made available to journalists in Umuahia.
Ekeoma disclosed that the state government has launched “a new Counter Offensive” aimed at dismantling every criminal network in Abia. He warned citizens not to harbour strangers to avoid falling victim to government actions.
“It has been firmly established that some unpatriotic politicians, in connivance with some external parties, are behind the current wave of violence and crime in the state since the end of May this year,” Ekeoma alleged.
According to him, the opposition’s goal is “to cause disaffection and distract the government from its focus on the development of the state.”
Ekeoma further stated that intelligence gathered from patriotic citizens confirmed the opposition’s involvement in the attacks. He revealed that no fewer than eight soldiers have been killed since the violence began with an attack on May 19, followed by a second on May 30 that claimed five more soldiers. Police personnel have also fallen victim to the violence.
The government believes the attacks represent a new strategy adopted by detractors to disrupt governance after their initial attempts to spread “lies and fabrications against the government” failed to resonate with the public.
Ekeoma accused the opposition of intensifying propaganda against Governor Alex Otti’s administration under the guise of playing politics, but claimed their tactics have failed as “Abia people have thoroughly ignored them and their antics.”
He reiterated that the peaceful disposition of the Otti administration should not be mistaken for weakness, warning that the government would not tolerate any acts of violence against citizens or security personnel.
“It needs to be understood that the government will not sit idly by and watch any person or group of persons unleash violence on innocent and peace-loving citizens of the state,” Ekeoma stated.
He warned those involved in the attacks, including the kidnapping of law-abiding citizens, to desist or face severe consequences.
“The state government will bring its full capacity and institutional forces to bear to smoke out those behind these acts of anarchy and fear,” he said, assuring residents that Governor Otti’s administration remains committed to protecting lives and property in every part of Abia.
Ekeoma encouraged law-abiding residents to continue their daily activities without fear, pledging that criminal elements would be decisively dealt with.
“The government is determined to ensure the safety and security of all Abians, and criminal elements will be routed without compromise,” he assured.
