Governor Otti Blames Opposition Politicians for Rising Insecurity in Abia State
Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State has accused opposition politicians, in collaboration with some external parties, of being responsible for the rising insecurity and criminal activities in the state.
Security in Abia, like other parts of the southeast, has worsened recently, with frequent attacks by armed assailants. Notable incidents include the killing of two Nigerian soldiers at a checkpoint in Umuahia South Local Government on the Umuahia-Owerri Road, and the death of a police operative during an attack on the convoy of a Nigerian lawmaker. Despite the Nigerian government’s claims that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is behind these attacks, IPOB has denied any involvement.
In a statement released by his media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti claimed that his administration had uncovered, through intelligence gathered from residents, that opposition politicians were behind the violence, not IPOB. He stated that these politicians began sponsoring the attacks in May 2024 with the primary aim of causing unrest and distracting his government from its developmental agenda. Otti further asserted that the opposition’s efforts to spread falsehoods against his administration had failed, as the people of Abia had rejected their claims.
Governor Otti emphasized that his government has always maintained a peaceful stance and would not be intimidated by these acts of violence. He vowed not to allow anyone or any group to disrupt the peace of Abia and assured that the state government would take decisive action against those responsible for the attacks. The governor declared that a counteroffensive had been launched to dismantle any criminal networks operating in the state, and he pledged that his administration was fully prepared to protect the lives and property of Abia’s residents.
Otti called on the people of Abia to support the government’s efforts by cooperating with security agencies and reporting any suspicious activities. He warned that anyone attempting to use politics as a cover for violence would face severe consequences. Additionally, the governor urged community leaders, traditional rulers, and parents to remain vigilant and ensure that no one in their communities engages in criminal activities.
