Abia State government has launched a fierce offensive against crime and criminals in the state, warning that the state is no longer safe for them to operate.
The special adviser to the governor on security, MacDonald Uba stated this while briefing newsmen on this week’s executive council meeting in Umuahia, the state capital.
He said several operations were being carried out by the state’s newly launched security outfit, Operation Crush, in partnership with other security agencies against the underworld.
The retired Navy commander added: “One of the latest operations was at Lokpanta in Umunneochi local government where the joint forces demolished criminal hideouts.”
“The hideouts,” the adviser maintained, “included shanties and brothels where the criminals commit all manner of crime including dealing in illicit drugs.”
“As you all know, the vision and mission of the Alex Otti administration is to place the state on the global map of which security of lives and properties are key,” he added.
Uba said following deliberate efforts by the administration to ensure security in the state, the people and investors had begun to move about freely across the state.
The retired naval officer noted with satisfaction the restoration of safety along Uturu-Umunneochi-Lokpanta axis, which had become kidnappers’ den.