…As Otti lauds Uzodimma over arrest of attackers of his advance team

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

Abia and Imo State governments have established joint taskforce team that will curb insecurity along the Aba/Owerri Highway and the adjoining areas.

This is even as Governor Alex Otti has commended his Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over the arrest of the criminals who attacked Otti’s advance team while enroute to Imo Airport.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the taskforce comprising soldiers, Naval personnel, police, DSS and other government security outfits, was established after Otti held a meeting with Uzodimma at Imo Government House, Owerri.

“The governments of Abia and Imo states have just launched a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State and beyond.

“The launch followed recent attacks by criminals who want to take advantage of the high volume of human and vehicular movements on the road to perpetrate all kinds of criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities ahead of the Christmas season.

“The joint security taskforce shall from December 5, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”

The statement added that the two governors, while assuring citizens plying the road of their safety and security, warned that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward.

Meanwhile, Governor Otti has commended Uzodinma for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on his advancedteam and other passengers a few days ago.

Otti’s advance team was under attack earlier in the week on the Imo section of the Aba/Owerri Highway as it was heading to the Imo Airport. However, no life was lost.