Given the insecurity that has bedeviled Abia state under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, Barr. James Okpara has expressed concern over the inability of the government to arrest the incessant killings of security personnel and innocent citizens that have now become a regular occurrence in the state.
In a press release made available to newsmen by Barr. James Okpara media team, the frontline aspirant to the chairmanship seat of the PDP and a legal icon decried the government’s lack of ideas on how to tackle the security challenge and advised Governor Otti to stop playing politics with security but scale up investment in the security of lives and properties of Abians.
Press Release…..
INSECURITY IN ABIA STATE TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GET A GRIP
For a sustained period, the level of insecurity, killings, and lawlessness in Abia State has become unprecedented and the violence is spiraling out of control.
The insecurity in Abia State is worrisome to all Abians in particular and Nigerians in general.
Abia State which before now had for many years been the most peaceful in Nigeria where no armed robbery, kidnappings, killing of members of the armed forces, policemen, and innocent civilians have now turned into a killing field.
Yesterday Sunday July 21st in Aba, an inspector of police, three civilians, and two unidentified armed men were killed. About 2 weeks before yesterday, two policemen were killed in Aba and before that time 5 soldiers were killed.
The list of killings in Aba and other parts of the state is seemingly endless and it appears that there is no end to these killings.
These deaths are one person too much and it appears that the government has no grip or control over this dangerous and sustained insecurity in Abia State.
Residents of Abia State and the visitors to Abia rightfully fear for their lives and properties, one can touch and feel the tension and apprehension amongst Abian’s over these killings and insecurity which this government has seemingly lost control over.
Whilst some analysts point to the alleged activities of some separatist movements in Abia State, others point to the draconian policies of the present government whereby thousands of Abian’s have been sacked by this government and thousands also have lost their places of business and residence due to their being demolished by this government.
Thousands of workers in the transport and allied business have lost their business due to the multiple taxes, levies and dues that they pay to Abia State government and her agencies. Businesses are taxed massively and far above their capacities.
Government policies must have human face. The business of government is neither to make profit nor maximize profit. The first duty of government is to provide security and guarantee the welfare of her citizens every other thing is secondary.
We should remember that there is serious multiplier effect to the thousands of Abian’s who have lost their jobs and means of employment and livelihood by the policies and actions of this government.
Their families and dependents are directly and negatively impacted by the loss of jobs and sources of livelihood.
There is pervasive hunger and poverty in Abia State. The cost of living is unbearably too high and unaffordable for Abian’s.
Government is a continuum and there is nothing wrong in this government seeking advice from those who have served in previous administrations about how security challenges were sorted out.
We are also of the view that there must be a bottom to top review of the security apparatus in Abia State.
The style of having fixed security checkpoint is anachronistic, obsolete and inefficient.
Criminals know where these points are and simply avoid them whilst knowing precisely where security agents are stationed at each time which makes them vulnerable to attacks.
Fixed security or stationary check points is akin to the Maginot line which spectacularly failed the French against the Germans during the second world war. Static security points do not work in other climes, the armed forces are not involved in internal security because they are not trained for it.
Internal security is not the forte of armed forces. Internal security is the business of the police and intelligence agencies statutorily established and trained for that purpose.
The armed forces are not trained to gather internal intelligence or fight urban warfare. Armed forces are trained to defend the country against external aggression and foreign attacks.
Intelligence gathering is the work of the police and the D.S.S in Nigeria. The Abia State government should invest more in the intelligence gathering capabilities of the police and the D.S.S in Abia State.
We also suggest that the government should seriously invest in the re-training, equipping and reorganizing of the Abia State Vigilante services.
It is a fact that Bakassi Boys are good in intelligence gathering in view of the fact that they live in the communities and mingle freely with inhabitants of the communities.
Bakassi Boys have sources which the police and armed forces may not have. We encourage the government to review her policies which has caused serious social and economic fractures and dislocations in Abia State.
There is also a need to get Town Associations, Landlord and Tenants Associations, Trade and Merchant Unions seriously engaged in efforts to fight criminality and violence.
These institutions have unlimited reach and intelligence-gathering abilities. They know who is doing what in their societies and should be included in the security apparatus and programs of the government.
With insecurity, there are little or no economic activities because of fear for life and insecurity of investments and properties.
Social and community activities are also severely and negatively affected. Insecurity is an ill-wind that blows no good to anybody and the government is encouraged to rejig and rethink her security strategies and operations.
Nobody has monopoly of knowledge and the government should engage in wide consultations and collaborations with every strata of the society to solve this security crisis we have in our dear Abia State.
We condole with the family all the members of police force, armed forces and civilians who have lost their loved ones in these mindless violence.
May the souls of those who fell in active service to their fatherland rest in peace in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Dated this is 22nd July, 2024.
Barr. James Okpara Media Team.
