Heads of security agencies in Abia State have reportedly relocated the administrative headquarters of their agencies to Aba, the Commercial nerve of State temporarily.
The Nation gathered that the decision of the security chiefs to relocate to Aba was as a result of rumours in some quarters that some group of persons were allegedly planning to capitalize on the clash between soldiers and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Isiala Ngwa axis of the Aba-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway on Tuesday to cause unrest in the city.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu after the clash announced a three day curfew that would last between 6pm to 6am in Aba to douse the tension and also to avoid some persons from cashing into the incident to cause chaos in the state.
Our reporter who was at the Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Aba reports that the security heads on arriving the commercial city went into a closed door meeting that lasted for over two hours.
Present at the meeting were the GOC 82Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar, Brigadier General Audu Ibrahim, Abia State Police Commissioner Adeleye Oyebade amongst others security chiefs.
Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting which held inside the Aba Area Commander’s office, Police Commissioner stated that the essence of the meeting was for them to fashion out ways in ensuring that there was peace and tranquility in the commercial town.
Oyebade while calling for caution amongst the populace disclosed that police in collaboration with other sister agencies were able to arrest some of the people who had wanted to cause breach of peace in the state.
He said that the suspects would be arraigned in court by Thursday and warned that the police would not fold its arms to watch unscrupulous elements cause mayhem in the state.
He used the opportunity to warn that the force would not hesitate punish anyone that flouted the curfew as directed by the state government and urged people to go about their lawful business without fear of intimidation.
He stated that the police would continue to make its presence felt at areas identified as flashpoints in Aba and other parts of the state to nip crime in the bud.
“The present situation in Abia state calls for a lot of caution. Now I believe that the members of the public are already in tune with the position of the state government with regard to press release after the state security council meeting yesterday. Beyond that, I’ve relocated to Aba to take charge and make sure we are on top of the situation.
“Let me put some records straight, the police have to work in tandem with other security agents and the military are very vital when it comes to issue of security. Yes, the internal security is the baby of the Nigerian police, but where they are having a special operation and whereas they’ve sensitized members of the public and it’s approved by high military command.
“That operation Python Dance II is to complement the police efforts on ground. So I’m asking members of the public not to see it as if they’re trampling on their privacy or fundamental human rights. That’s why I’m saying this after I’ve gone round Aba and Umuahia this morning.
“I want all Abians and everybody in Abia to go about their lawful businesses and those traveling should go about their travel, let those doing their businesses, go about doing their businesses.
“Those that caused the mayhem yesterday, most of them have been arrested. We are going to take proper actions and arraignment in court tomorrow. Peace has been restored and we’ve just finishing having meeting with leaders of Arewa leaders in Umuahia and Aba. We’ve put security in place to protect everybody.
“I want to assure everybody that we’ll put this behind us and move on. Abia has been one of the most peaceful states and we can’t allow some careless persons to truncate that.
“One cannot use his own fundamental human rights to trample on others. We are here to protect life and property and make sure every Nigerian enjoys his or her fundamental human rights.”
THE NATION
