Governor says criminal camps destroyed, peace restored through joint security operations as workers’ welfare and sanitation also improve

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has revealed how his administration dismantled entrenched criminal networks and reclaimed communities once overrun by kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits.

Speaking at his third anniversary celebration held Friday at Umuahia Township Stadium, Otti said he met a state gripped by insecurity, with criminal gangs operating freely from forest hideouts and terrorising residents.

According to him, several communities were effectively under siege, as kidnappers and other violent groups established camps in forests and launched repeated attacks that forced residents into fear and displacement.

Otti explained that through sustained and coordinated operations with security agencies, his government successfully dislodged the criminals, destroyed their camps and restored full government control across affected areas.

He credited the turnaround to strong collaboration between the state, security chiefs and traditional rulers, whom he praised for their roles in stabilising troubled communities.

The governor called on residents to continue supporting security efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that vigilance remains key to sustaining the gains recorded.

Beyond security, Otti highlighted early environmental interventions by his administration, disclosing that nearly 3,000 truckloads of refuse were cleared within weeks of taking office in 2023, preventing a looming public health crisis.

On workers’ welfare, he said the era of unpaid salaries and pensions in Abia had ended, noting that civil servants and retirees now receive their entitlements without delays.

Reaffirming his commitment to prudent governance, Otti assured residents that public funds would be managed responsibly and no longer squandered on wasteful spending.