The Abia State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, has warned that the government will now treat criminals and their harbourers equally.
Kanu stated this while briefing the press on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting, which was presided over by the governor, Alex Otti, in Umuahia, the state capital.
He explained that the government is taking this seriously, and the warning is that anyone caught harbouring criminals will be treated as one.
Kanu, who said the step is part of the government’s security precautions, noted, “Let me reiterate the old cliche that when you see something, you say something.”
The commissioner’s words, “We have to go further to say that when you see something, take action by making discreet reports to the security agencies.”
Kanu also informed that the government would, through the security agencies, start beaming its lights on the traditional rulers to ascertain those who harbour criminals in their domains.
He made public the release of a prominent businessman who was kidnapped in the state recently and warned the people and their leaders against harbouring criminals.
“As is usual with security matters, I may not want to go into details of what happened to the businessman, but the government is advising the residents to remain vigilant.”
Therefore, he cautioned town union leaders to be vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements involving criminal elements to security agents.
According to the information boss, “Town unions, community leaders, and traditional rulers must be alive to their duties of keeping watch over their domains.”
He reminded commercial vehicle owners of the ongoing registration of such vehicles and that the government would soon commence strict enforcement of the directives.
