How Abia Flushed Out Bandits In Forest, Communities

How Abia Flushed Out Bandits In Forest, Communities – Otti
Governor highlights improved security, sanitation, and workers’ welfare
Residents urged to support security agencies with useful intelligence

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said his administration successfully reclaimed communities and forests previously occupied by criminal gangs through coordinated operations with security agencies.

Otti made the disclosure on Friday during his third anniversary address held at the Umuahia Township Stadium, where he reviewed key achievements of his administration since assuming office in 2023.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the governor explained that before he came into office, bandits had established camps in forests across parts of the state, from where they launched attacks on residents, forcing many communities into panic and displacement.

He said kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements had taken control of several areas at the time, but were dislodged through sustained security interventions.

Otti commended the leadership of various security agencies and traditional rulers for their cooperation in restoring peace and stability across affected communities.

He also urged residents to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and useful intelligence that would help prevent the return of criminal groups.

“Security was a major challenge in the state three years ago. Several communities were held hostage as kidnappers, armed robbers, and other criminal groups set up camps in the forests from where they launched sporadic attacks on innocent Abians,” he said.

The governor also highlighted improvements in environmental sanitation, stating that 2,997 truckloads of refuse were evacuated from the streets shortly after he assumed office in 2023, reducing environmental hazards and improving public health conditions.

On workers’ welfare, Otti said civil servants and pensioners in Abia State now receive their salaries and pensions without delays, a departure from the situation he inherited.