THE period between 2008 and  2010 was indeed very trying for the Federal Government and particularly the indigenes of Abia State following the spate  kidnapping and armed robbery in the State. During that period, stories of kidnapping and bullion van robbery were replete across the state.

Even little children of nursery and primary school ages were not spared by the kidnappers, who made major Abia communities  unsafe. This situation made the state to be regarded as a haven for bandits and criminal gangs.

Apparently tired of the scenario and in an attempt to ensure that total anarchy was not allowed to take over when there is a democratically elected government, Governor Theodore Orji approached President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who approved the deployment of soldiers in September, 2010.

The soldiers, drawn from 82 Division, Enugu were able to dislodge the kidnappers and armed robbers from their various camps. This development signified the beginning of a new dawn for both the government and people of the state. But Orji, it was gathered has not has not relented,  as his administration has further embarked on the rehabilitation of the Police, the Army and other security agencies operating in the area. This is being done to  ensure that the state does not slip back to the ugly days of kidnapping and violent crimes.

Supporting Federal agencies
An attestation to that, was the recent donation of  26 brand new patrol vehicles for the Nigerian Army in Umuahia, the state capital. At the event which attracted the presence of heads of various security agencies in Abia, the governor restated that all measures would be done to ensure that the era of insecurity does not come back.

He  maintained that the memory of the years of kidnapping and armed robbery has always haunted him especially the harrowing experiences of the little children separated from their parents, adding that the experience made him vow never to allow the state pass through such experiences again. Orji said there was  need to empower the military and the security agencies as the maintenance of security and safeguarding lives and property is the major function of government aside from payment of salaries.

MD Abubakar, Police IG

He further regretted that in the days of evil, businesses could not prosper, noting that foreign investors that would have ushered in development were scared away.

Rehabilitation of roads
“Even contractors mobilized to carry construction and rehabilitation of roads were either kidnapped which put paid to the jobs or they simply refused to have anything to do with the state,” he noted.

In addition, he said, “the army has maintained two outposts one at the Aba High School in the heart of the commercial city and another one  at Asa High School near the border with Rivers State. The abandoned 14th Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Ohafia has since been rehabilitated and commissioned by President Jonathan in an effort to completely erase the memory of the dark era in the history of the state.”

He also reiterated his resolve to complement the efforts of the Federal Government at sustaining security agents in the state,  when the  the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar visited him at Government House. We believe that security of lives and property and the pursuit of legitimate livelihoods without fear is our people’s inalienable right. Indeed securing its people is the raison d’e’tre of Government,” he noted.

Continuing Orji said, “we therefore pursued the restoration of security in our State with vigour and to the glory of God, normalcy has been restored. We are grateful for the cooperation we have received from the Federal Government and its security agencies especially the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police etc in combating the security challenges that plagued our State leading to divestment.

Also corroborating Orji’s story on the security situation in Abia, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, said, “the state government has tackled insecurity amongst others. If you will recall, there was a time no one could sleep with his two eyes closed. I am sure it was a period we will not want to remember when we are assessing the history of the state.”

Supporting Emezue’s assertion, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South East) Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd) noted thus: “Today, Abia is one of the most peaceful and secured states in the country and thanks to the administration of Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji. In fact, Abia is alive again”.