Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday, inaugurated a special security operation codenamed ‘Operation Crush’.
Speaking during the event held in Umuahia, Otti said, “Operation Crush is our strong and coordinated response to the lingering challenge of insecurity in parts of the state, which has made life nightmarish for many.
“Operation Crush is a joint task force with membership drawn from various security formations, including operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Navy.”
The governor said the launched Operation was to counter kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violent crimes.
“Special attention shall be paid to the flashpoints around communities within Umunneochi and Isuikwuato LGAs with a firm determination to identify and clear all criminal hideouts using the superiority of our arms and the operational expertise of the security personnel on this team,” Otti said.
Recalling that kidnappers and armed robbers had made economic and social activities almost impossible for thousands in those communities, Otti said, “We shall no longer share one inch of our territory with criminals and their sponsors.”
He said criminals should leave Abia or be ready to be crushed.
“To be clear, while the security agents have been directed to be hard and unforgiving on the criminals, doing whatever is necessary to restore law and order, especially in the already identified flashpoints, they have also been reminded to guard against any form of exuberances that could result in the harassment of innocent citizens,” the governor stated.
The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, commended Otti for his commitment to ensuring security in the state.
