Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially handed over 20 brand new Toyota Hilux trucks to various security agencies in the state. The vehicles, purchased by the state government, aim to strengthen security operations and ensure a peaceful environment, especially during the Yuletide season.
During the handover ceremony held in Umuahia, Governor Otti praised the efforts of the security agencies and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating criminal activities and maintaining peace across the state.
The Governor emphasized that the trucks were procured to support law enforcement agencies in their daily operations, ensuring they function seamlessly.
“When we assumed the leadership of this state, eighteen months plus a few days ago, we made it very clear that security was topmost on our agenda.
“We understood clearly that every other thing that we wanted to do would amount to nothing if security was compromised.
“We took a decision that we needed to support the Security Agencies with vehicles and other equipment to ensure that their job is seamless.
“It is in redemption of that promise that we have gathered today to hand over Twenty Brand New Toyota Hilux trucks, purchased by the State Government to our Security Agencies.
“This is a way of appreciating the job you do, it is also a way of arming you so that you would be more effective and efficient,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti highlighted some achievements in security since his administration took office, including the launch of Operation Crush.
The initiative, he explained, has been instrumental in addressing crime and reclaiming areas previously dominated by criminal elements, particularly in Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas.
“People who could not access their villages in several years were able to access their villages and actually spent Christmas last year in their villages and since then, we have continued to do the needful to ensure that our state is peaceful,” he noted.
The Governor acknowledged isolated security breaches caused by criminal infiltration but assured residents that his administration remains committed to addressing such challenges.
“We want to repeat that warning we gave that this place will not be accommodating to people who do not want to live according to the dictates of the law,” he said.
Dr. Otti reiterated his government’s full support for the security agencies but urged them to operate with professionalism, warning against extortion and unlawful behavior towards citizens.
“I want to also use this opportunity to tell our security agencies that this government is single minded in supporting you and you should go about doing what you have to do, knowing fully well that you have a government that will support you 100 percent.
“We also need to employ you to ensure that particularly at this time, when we have redoubled security, that your men are warned so that they don’t also get involved with criminality including extortion, and dealing with people in a way that is not in accordance with the law,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the security agencies, the Commander of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General O.O. Diya, expressed gratitude to the Governor for prioritizing security in the state.
He pledged that all security agencies would redouble their efforts to keep Abia State safe and urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement to eliminate crime.
In separate interviews, the Abia State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akinsola Aderemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd.), commended the government’s commitment to enhancing security.
They noted that the ongoing collaboration among security agencies would further improve safety across the state.
Both officials reassured citizens that security forces are fully equipped to handle any potential threats and called for public cooperation in identifying and reporting suspicious activities.