Improving security in Abia: A task that requires all hands on deck
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
Insecurity is a hydra-headed monster that holds no good for any member of the society.
Just as a popular scripture aptly states, “the thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy”, those directly or remotely involved in the act of insecurity have no good intentions for the state and its good people.
Nigeria as a country has been battling with different security challenges, ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping for ransom, banditry, herdsmen/farmers conflict and terrorism for more then two decades now.
Abia State as a subnational in the country has received its own share of the demanging effects of insecurity bedeviling the country.
The ordinary people on the street have been at the receiving end whenever the men of the underworld carry out their heinous acts.
Many families that have lost their loved ones in the hands of the criminal elements, either through armed robbery attacks or kidnapping, will live with the trauma for ages, while those who were lucky enough to survive such attacks after losing their property and money, will also continue to live with the painful experience for a long time.
It is pertinent to observe that Gov. Alex Otti led-administration in Abia places the security of lives and property in the front bunner.
The governor understood that no meaningful progress can be made without a secured environment.
Consequently, he issued a stern warning to all criminals and their sponsors to leave the state or face the consequences of their evil deals.
Gov. Otti had stated in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023 that no inch of the Abia territory would be left for criminals to operate.
He later launched a special security task force, codenamed “Operation Crush” on August 8, 2023.
Operation Crush is a joint task force with its membership drawn from various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and Nigerian Navy.
While the team has made appreciable success in countering
kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violent crimes in the state, especially in the flashpoints around communities within Umunneochi and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas (LGAs), another trend of criminality seems to be rearing its ugly head in the state.
The two seperate fatal attacks on security operatives in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, is not only disturbing, but should be of a serious concern to every resident of the state.
Aba, being the economic capital of the state, requires topnotch security for businesses to thrive.
On May 28, five soldiers at a checkpoint at Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill, Obingwa LGA, were killed in a dastardly attack by unidentified gunmen.
And while the search for the perpetrators was still on, another attack on a police checkpoint at Opobo Junction in the same LGA left two policemen dead and a few others wounded.
These serial and unfortunate deadly attacks can best be described as a serious affront against the state by criminal elements, who are hell-bent on returning Abia to the dark days of insecurity and fear amongst the citizenry, especially Aba residents.
Gov. Otti has, however, vowed that the government would not rest until those behind the heinous attacks were fished out. He spoke when he paid a condolence visit to the families of the deceased police personnel.
The governor also awarded scholarships up to the university level to the children of the two deceased police operatives and assured them that Abia Government would never abandon them to suffer but continue to provide support for their upkeep.
He reassured the security agencies that the State Government is behind them in the fight against crime and criminality.
He also reassured Abia citizens that his administration “is equal to the task and will not let those behind the incident get away, without identifying and bringing all those who are directly or remotely involved to book”.
While the State Government and the public continue to commiserate with the families of the deceased, the police authorities and residents of the state are expected to begin to partner in a more strategic manner to secure the state.
Those in the hospitality business must insist that the correct identity of their guests is known before allowing them to use their facilities.
Again, security agencies must overhaul their strategies and mode of operation. The critical situation at hand requires more attention to be paid on flashpoints and all entry and exit points in the state.
Security personnel must be provided with sound operational vehicles and superior weapons to enable them to fight crime to a standstill.
Residents should, as a matter of necessity, continue to avail the security agencies with relevant information on suspicious characters in their neighbourhoods for necessary action.
It is only a serious synergy between the government, citizens and the security agencies that will bring the deadly attacks on the security agencies and residents of the state to an end.
Those attacking the security agencies in the state are nothing but the enemies of the state and nobody should think it is not their business because once the security of the state is compromised, it is the common man that would suffer it most.
The time for action is now, so let all hands be on deck.
# The New Abia is here, To God be the glory!
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, a journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Umuahia.