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From Okey Sampson , Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has called on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja for more collaborative efforts in tackling insecurity in the state. Me
This is even as Otti has commended the Nigerian Army for being supportive in the efforts of the State government in achieving adequate security in Abia communities.
Otti spoke while receiving in audience a delegation of the Chief of Army Staff who was in Abia for an official visit.
The Governor was particularly happy over the role the Army played in restoring peace in Umunneochi, especially at the cattle market and other parts of the State as well as the success so far achieved with Operation Crush.
“Let me use this opportunity to publicly thank you for the support that you have given us. If you didn’t give the support, the success that people are talking about today would not have happened so we are very very grateful. We have worked together with the military as partners and brothers.
“Our launch of a special inter agency operation code named Operation Crush, which is also led by the army had yielded a lot of fruits. We try to resource it very well, then we have a lot of committed officers in you who have been on top of Operation Crush to restore normalcy in the security situation in Abia State.
Otti was optimistic the visit would not only strengthen the collaboration of his government with the Nigerian Army, but also assist in tacking insecurity in the South East.
“This visit has further strengthened our resolve to do whatever we can do to partner with you and work together to secure not just Abia but the South East.
I believe that in no distance future, we will be sitting down with you again as South East Governors, because if you solve the security problem in Abia, and then there is security issue in Ebonyi, Enugu or Imo, then the problem has not been solved.”
He was of the view that because of the importance of security to the development of the economy of the South East, the South East Governors’ Forum has to work with the army accordingly.
The Chief of Army Staff, who was on an official visit to Army formations in the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, had earlier thanked the Governor for his support to his men.
“We seize this opportunity to appreciate your support and that of the good people of Abia State to our troups and even their families domiciled in Abia State. I have been briefed of the several interventions of the Abia State Government to the 14 Brigade; vehicles and even infracstructure in our barracks.”
He pledged the sustained support and partnership of the of the Nigerian Army to Abia State Government.
