Abia State Government has promised that it will not permit criminal elements to destroy the modest progress accomplished so far under Governor Alex Otti’s administration.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Kanu, disclosed this to journalists on Monday during a briefing regarding the outcome of Governor Alex Otti’s Executive Council meeting this week.
He stated that the state government has zero tolerance for criminal activities and would not condone them, revealing that armed criminal elements on Monday morning engaged security forces at Aba.
“Earlier today, criminal elements engaged the security personnel in a gunfight at Umuode community, along the Port Harcourt -Enugu Express Road, and later at Umuojima in Osisioma where they were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security forces.
“In the ensuing gunfight, one of the gunmen was neutralized, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries”.
The commissioner added that the fugitive gunmen left one of the criminal elements’ cars, a Highlander, behind and it is currently under custody by security agencies.
He warned the public to exercise caution, citing reliable intelligence reports showed that the thugs were out to wreak havoc throughout the state.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (retd.) said the state government has reviewed its strategies in the fight against crime and criminality.
“So, my assurance is that going forward, it’s going to be a different ball game in the fight to rid our state of all kinds of criminal elements.
“There was no loss on the side of the security agents.”
He gave his word that things have changed and that it is no longer business as usual, noting that the criminals were being pursued by security agencies.
Recall that the state had announced plans to count and re-register tricycles and motorcycles in the state in an effort to reduce crime related to motorbikes and tricycles in the state.
The administration stated that protecting the lives and property of law-abiding individuals and state residents was the primary goal of the registration and restriction measures.
