1.
Our dear brothers and sisters, It is with heavy hearts that the state
government received reports of the unfortunate incident at Aba abattoir
today. Initial information made available to us indicate that the
violence was sparked off by a solider who killed a meat-seller at the
popular waterside abattoir located at the Ogbohill area of Aba.
2.
We condemn the dastardly act that led to the untimely death of our
brother, father and bread winner of his family. Our hearts and prayers
are with his family and friends in this moment of pains and loss, even
as we also commiserate with the traders at the market and others who
were affected by the ensuing crisis.
3.
The solider who allegedly perpetrated this act has been arrested and
taken into custody. He will surely face the full weight of the law.
4.
We call on the good people of Abia, especially those of us living and
doing business at Aba, to remain calm. We reassure all citizens and
residents of the state that the government is doing everything to
protect lives and property of citizens as well as prevent further
disruption of peace.
5.
The Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has instructed the recently
re-equipped security agencies in the state to ensure watertight security
around our borders and towns against any form of attack.
6.
He has also directed the men of the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS)
to commence, with immediate effect, a two week intensive training, for
onward deployment to our communities to assist in community policing
under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police.
7.
All Traditional Rulers in the state have been directed to submit names
of 10 able-bodied youths from their community to the Commissioner for
Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th May 2016. These youths will be enlisted into the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS) to further boost community policing in the state.
8.
Law enforcement agencies have been mandated to search and monitor all
trucks and vehicles conveying livestocks, food items and persons into
the state from any part of the country with a view to preventing
inter-state movement of arms and terrorists. The law enforcement
agencies will also search and monitor markets and settlements where
livestocks and dealers are located, to ensure security.
9.
The Governor of Abia State has approved the constitution of a
Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee. The Commissioner of
Police will head the committee at the state level. Other members of the
committee are: The Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State
Commandant of the NSCDC, the Naval Commander, Special Adviser to the
Governor on Security, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties,
State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Myati Allah
cattle dealers representative and Sarikin Hausawa.
10.
The State Governor has also directed the constitution of
Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committees in the 17 Local
Government Areas of the state. The Local Government chairmen will head
the committees in their LGAs. Other members of the committees include;
Divisional Police Officers in the LGAs, Local Government NSCDC heads,
the DSS Local Government Chiefs, LGA Chairmen of Traditional Rulers
Council and LGA Heads of Hausa communities.
11.
We wish to encourage our people to be vigilant and report any
suspicious movement or activities of strange persons within our
communities to the Traditional Rulers or call any of the following
Police Emergency Control phone numbers: 08079210003, 08079210004,
08079210005, 08035425405 for prompt deployment of a Rapid Response Unit
formed for the purpose of dealing with security alerts.
Signed
Godwin Adindu
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Godwin Adindu
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
No comments:
Post a Comment