The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has introduced the whistle-blower policy with a promise of N1 million reward to anybody who gives information that will lead to the arrest of kidnappers.
Ikpeazu also promised to give another N1 million to security agents who are able to arrest or smash any kidnap or armed robbery gang in the state.
Addressing newsmen at the Exco chambers, the governor disclosed that the state government was worried about the recent upsurge in crime at Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state.
He charged security agencies to go after the criminals.
The governor who identified cross border criminals and local gangs as being responsible for the new wave of armed robbery and kidnapping, vowed that “all criminal elements will be chased out of Aba and Abia State within a very short time.” He said those caught in the act would be made to face the consequences of their actions.
Ikpeazu who recalled that the last Yuletide was the most peaceful in the history of the state which he said was as a result of the vigilance and hardwork of security agencies, with support from his administration, promised to work with security agents and the Federal Government to re-launch “Operation Jubilee.”
According to him, additional mobile police officers and soldiers would be involved in the operation to fish out and punish criminals, even as he said the state was ready to procure additional 10 vehicles and armoured vehicles to enhance the operational efficiency of security agencies.
He praised security agents in the state for “making Easter Sunday and Monday black days for men of the underworld in Aba.
He stated that some of the criminals captured alive were already giving useful information that would help security agents arrest their fleeing colleagues.
The governor assured that all information to the special phone numbers and email addresses that would be made available to members of the public would be treated with strict confidentiality and the informant rewarded immediately.
