Despite attacks, Abia remains one of Nigeria's safest states – Commissioner

Chief John Okiyi Kalu

Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for Information

Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for Information
Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for Information

Abia State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, has said Abia remains one of the safest states despite recent attacks.

Kalu said that despite experiencing pockets of attacks from men of the underworld in the state, it still remains one of the safest in the country.

He made this known during an interactive session with newsmen in Umuahia on Wednesday.

Kalu said that the local security outfits established by the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration to cater for the security of the people and the State in complementing the efforts of federal security agencies, were still very effective.

While reacting to the issue of attacks on security institutions in the state, he made it clear that some arrests have been made and that the people should cooperate with government in finding lasting solution to the menace.

“We strongly urge all on those attacking security facilities in the country to stop it immediately because the consequences of such mindless attacks will not be palatable to any citizen of this country. Attacks on police officers, in particular, constitutes direct threat to our society. Nobody will benefit from anarchy going anarchical in our state or country,” he said.

While speaking on the case of the kidnapped Abia State University student that later regained her freedom, the commisioner said that the State Government was able to successfully secure the release as a result of the focused intervention of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, as well as, the competence of security agents and commended the Governor on his proactively tactful approach to issues of security in the state.

Kalu also expressed concerns that Nigeria was in a bad mix of poor economy and insecurity, emphasising that it is a toxic cocktail that must be handled expeditiously to prevent untoward outcome.

He expressed regrets that most of the issues that led to the #EndSARS protests last year were still being largely ignored by the authorities concerned and called for immediate convocation of a national conference to address raging issues of injustice that has led to agitations across the nation.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to make immediate concerted efforts at bringing all sides of the country together, treat them fairly and meaningfully address the sociopolitical grievances of the people so as to restore peace to the country before things become uncontrollable.

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The Commissioner admonished security agents to apply caution and do well to still respect the fundamental human rights of every citizen while carrying out their duties.

He said this would help to prevent cases where security operatives fall foul of the law themselves and trigger avoudable tension and distrust between them and the civil populace, a situation that could worsen the already worrisome security situation.

Kalu said he still believes in the ability of the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari to salvage the situation.

“I have confidence that President Buhari will do the right thing. He is a nationalist, a man who fought to safeguard Borno State during the Chadian crises in the 80s cannot deliberately allow his country to go into flames”, he said.

The Commissioner also called on religious leaders to guide their followers in the right path as that would go a long way to stem social vices and violent unrests plaguing the nation.

Speaking further on the 30-Year Development Plan of Abia State, Kalu said the state government was aware of the needs of the people and those needs were being worked on.

He informed that bottom top approach was deployed in identifying development priorities of the people from all the wards of the state.

He said even after the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, future administrations could still come up with their own agenda, but that the current 30-Year Development Plan will surely serve as a guide.

The Commissioner finally urged the federal government not to take the wailings of the people for granted as no government can contend with the reaction of the people when they rise as one to confront the issues affecting them but from which government attempts to run away.

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