The Abia State Government has vowed that it will not allow criminal elements to destroy the modest achievements made so far under the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu made this known while briefing the press after this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He said that the state government had zero tolerance for criminal activities and would not condone it, explaining that armed criminal elements Monday morning engaged security personnel at Aba.
“Earlier today, criminal elements engaged the security personnel in a gunfight at Umuode community, along the Port Harcourt-Enugu Express Road, and later at Umuojima in Osisioma where they were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security forces.
“In the ensuing gunfight, one of the gunmen was neutralized, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries”
The Commissioner further said that one of the vehicles belonging to the criminal elements, a Highlander vehicle, was abandoned by the fleeing gunmen and is now under the custody of the security agencies.
He said that credible intelligence reports showed that the hoodlums were on the prowl to cause mayhem in the state and urged members of the public to be vigilant.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd.) said, “What happened today is a testament to the fact that we have also reviewed our strategies.
“So my assurance is that going forward, it’s going to be a different ball game in the fight to rid our state of all kinds of criminal elements. There was no loss on the side of the security agents.”
He assured that the game had changed as it was no longer business as usual, adding that the security agencies were on the trail of the fleeing criminals.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture Prince Okey Kanu disclosed that in a bid to reposition Abia State in the ease of doing business, the state government has inaugurated a council on Ease of Doing Business.
According to him, the governor “took a major step in his bid to reposition Abia State through reforming the state’s business environment to provide optimum services for investors and to give them confidence about doing business in Abia state.
“Abia State government has adopted the State’s Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) 2024, while also approving the 2023 Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) progress report.”
He informed that the council is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu. Other members of the council include; Commissioners for Trade, Commerce and Industry Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu; Budget and Planning Kingsley Anosike.
