By Adadareporters
Abia State governor Alex Otti, weekend, charged security agencies operating in the state to flush out all criminal elements to enhance the development of the state.
The governor gave the charge through his adviser on strategic communication, Prince Okey Kanu. He identified some prevalent crimes in the state to include illegal collection of levies, phone snatching, “one-chance” operations with Keke and kidnapping for ransom.
He urged traditional rulers, town unions, and landlords to partner with the state government to make his administration realise its goals.
According to the statement, “The rising spate of criminal activities in certain parts of the state has come to the knowledge of the state government and security agencies. The criminal elements engage in crimes that range from illegal collection of levies, phone snatching, “one-chance” operations with tricycle (keke), particularly in Aba and Umuahia cities of the state, to the very serious crime of kidnapping for ransome.
“Given that security is one of the cardinal programmes of this administration, Dr Otti is determined to secure the lives and property of Abians.
“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. Such criminal elements constitute unnecessary cogs in the wheel of progress of Abia State. A hard time awaits all such deviants with the arrival of a new commissioner of police, Ken Onwuemelie, to the state.
“Abia state government, through this medium, is calling on 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.
“In line with his campaign promises, His Excellency is poised to create job opportunities for our teeming youth through funding of small and medium scale businesses and investments in private-sector-led investments in industries.
“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”.
