From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Following recent killings in Abia State in which no fewer than five security agents have been slain in the state in less than one week, Governor Alex Otti said his government has resolved to rejig the security architecture of the state.
Speaking to the press after an emergency security council meeting, Otti said,the government has taken a decision to smoke out criminal elements in the state.
“We have all sat down to look at the security architecture of the state and I am happy that we have resolved to rejig the security architecture to ensure that something like these (attacks) will be a thing of the past.
“We also have taken a decision to smoke out all the criminal elements from wherever they are hiding.
“We are happy to assure you that we can deal with them accordingly. We have the commitment of the security agencies”.
The Governor, while warning criminal elements that Abia would not be safe for them, disclosed that his government would redouble her efforts in various areas where there were possibilities of attacks.
“We want to give a notice. If you are a criminal in Abia State, whether you call yourself bandit or kidnapper, whatever you call yourself, this place will not be safe for you. So that is the warning.”
Otti was of the view that the recent unfortunate attacks should not be taken as the current situation in Abia and reassured residents and visitors that his government was more than competent to deal with security challenges in the State.
The Governor commiserated with the Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police over the unfortunate incidents and attacks on their men at Ekenobizi, Ubakala and Ohafia .
He assured that such would not repeat itself, adding that he would visit the families of the deceased.