After several weeks of investigations and intelligence gathering, officials of the Government of Abia State acting on the orders of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu took a massively bold step today by launching a vicious attack on criminal hideouts in Aba demolishing hundreds of shanties and make shift buildings that serve as rendezvous for these criminals.
Led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr ACB Agbazuere, the State Government rolled in earth moving equipment into the Waterside area of Aba and took down these shanties that have become a haven for criminals and from where they launch series of criminal attacks on the people of Aba and its environs.
Joined by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Janet Agbede and other heads of security agencies in Abia State, the operation was clinical and successful, and left in its wake, massive discoveries of illicit drug abuse joints and their users. Several arrests were also made with strong assurances of prosecution.
Speaking at the demolition site, the Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere accompanied by the Commissioner of Police and a combined team of security personnel said government decided to demolish the shanties because they serve as hideouts for criminals.
He noted that criminals who sell cocaine and illicit drugs and also perpetrate various crimes hide there after their illegal activities.
Dr. Agbazuere assured that the State Government is committed to the safety of lives and property of the citizenry adding that the principal responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property.
According to him, no government would fold its arms and watch criminal elements perpetrate crime and threaten the security of the State and warned criminals who use the Waterside area as hideout to vacate the area and turn a new leaf. He used the forum to warn that henceforth, landlords in the State who harbour armed robbers, kidnappers and hard drug dealers will have their houses demolished while themselves would be prosecuted.
Dr. Agbazuere commended the Commissioner of Police, her officers and men and other security men in the State for being committed to their duties and urged Abia people and residents to feel safe.
Speaking on behalf of other men of the Security Agencies, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Janeth Agbade reassured Abians that
the Security Agencies are committed to providing excellent security to the people of the State and called on criminal elements using the Waterside area as hideouts to perpetrate crime to vacate the area immediately.
