Gov. Otti vows crackdown on criminals after attack on commissioner

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has expressed strong outrage over the recent attack on the state’s Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, along the Umunneochi-Okigwe axis in Imo State.

The governor, while addressing journalists during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, condemned the incident and vowed that his administration would not tolerate criminality in any form.

Chukwumerije, who is the son of the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, reportedly escaped unharmed from the attack, though full details remain undisclosed. The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, confirmed that security agencies were handling the matter but declined to provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Governor Otti, visibly upset, noted that while insecurity in the area had drastically reduced since the launch of Operation Crush in October 2023, recent security breaches in Umunneochi and Isuikuato had been reported. He promised to double security efforts to keep the areas safe, stressing that the safety of citizens remains the primary duty of any responsible government.

He added that a criminal hideout at Ugwunagbo near Aba was recently raided by security agents, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the dismantling of their camp. Unfortunately, a soldier was lost during the operation, while the criminals suffered significant casualties.

Speaking on his administration’s achievements, Governor Otti announced that the ongoing renovation of 200 primary healthcare centers under Project Ekwueme had reached an advanced stage, with many of them already in operation and properly equipped. He assured that these centers now offer quality services comparable to international standards, including safe childbirth facilities.

He also disclosed that secondary and tertiary health institutions, such as the General Hospital in Aba and the Mother and Child Hospital in Ugwunagbo, have been upgraded. Work has commenced on additional projects at facilities in Arochukwu, Obingwa, and Okikpe, while phase two of renovations at Abia State University Teaching Hospital has begun to improve services after the restoration of its lost accreditation in 2023.

In the education sector, Governor Otti revealed that over 5,000 newly recruited teachers were undergoing orientation in Aba and Umuahia and would soon be deployed to classrooms across the state. He also announced plans to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers to address the growing number of school enrollments since the introduction of free and compulsory education earlier in the year.

Furthermore, the governor confirmed that several schools were being renovated and that 20 schools were being converted to smart schools equipped with modern learning facilities. He added that ongoing renovations at Abia State University Uturu were almost complete, with new hostels under construction and plans to relocate the faculties of Agriculture and Law to the main campus.

Power supply at the university has been restored, and an embedded power plant project is underway to provide a consistent 15 to 20 megawatts of electricity for the university and surrounding communities.

Governor Otti concluded by reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving security, healthcare, education, and infrastructure across the state, while ensuring that criminals face the full weight of the law.