- As Otti directs security agents to fish out killers of 2 expatriates, 1 cop
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia state Government has denied reports making the rounds in the state that it engaged the services of the militant arm of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to fight insecurity in the state.
This is even as Governor Alex Otti has directed security agents to fish out the killers of two Chinese nationals and a police officer in the state at the weekend.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma said the attention of government was drawn to a post by a faceless blogger alleging that the Governor of Abia State, “has approved the involvement of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) to confront Fulani herdsmen and protect Abia farmers, following the continued inaction of Nigerian Security Forces”.
Describing the report as false, malicious and misleading, Ekeoma said it has nothing to do with Abia state government led by Governor Otti.
“The post is intended to create disaffection and cause unnecessary tension in the state.
“The authors of the statement had issued a similar fake statement a few weeks ago, but we intentionally ignored them , however, we feel it has become necessary for the government to respond to the latest statement so that innocent and unsuspecting members of the public will not fall prey to such a dubious fabrication.
“For the records, the government of Abia State under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti could not have contemplated embracing the services of none-state actors to fight criminals and insecurity of any kind in any part of the state.
“Those who have decided to play dirty politics by inciting fear and violence against the state and its citizens, not minding the danger they pose to the lives and properties of Abians, should know that their actions will attract severe consequences whenever they are caught”, the statement warned.
The statement added that government has absolute confidence in the various security agencies working in the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Otti has directed security operatives to fish out killers of two Chinese nationals and a police officer in the state at the weekend.
The three men were reportedly ambushed and killed at a mining site in Uturu Abia State.
Ekeoma in a statement said Otti was enraged that the perpetrators of the dastardly act could unleash such unprovoked attack on innocent persons, promising that his government would provide the necessary support to security agents to ensure that the killers don’t go scot-free.
The Governor promised to intensify security cooperation with states that share boundaries with Abia so as to build a formidable security architecture that would ensure that criminals don’t stray into Abia from such states for the purpose of committing crimes on Abia soil, as was said to be the case in this instance.
Otti sent his condolences to the Nigerian Police Force, the Chinese Embassy and the families and loved ones of the victims of the attack.