Group condemns killing of Police officer, civilians in Abia, tasks Otti to intensify security

A pro-democracy and rights advocacy group on Tuesday, condemned the killing of a Police Inspector, Shehu Oyibo and other casualties felled by assailants’ bullets in Aba, on Sunday during an attack on a patrol team.

The incident, according to DAILY POST, happened at about 11:28 am when police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Aba, were attacked by armed assailants while on patrol along Ngwa Road by Mosque Junction in Aba.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said the armed assailants were operating in an ash-coloured Sienna vehicle when they opened fire on the police personnel.

However, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD in a reaction by its Executive Director, Nnanna Nelson Nwafor, reiterated its call for intensification of security in Abia State.

“What is happening in Abia State, especially in Aba, calls for a review of the approach in security service provision. With this rate of killings, no one needs to be told that the state government and security agencies need to build a working synergy to come up with a solution to this menace capable of turning investors away from Aba, regardless of the ongoing infrastructure provision in roads and energy.

“There is a need to study the trends and dynamics of these killings, especially to trace its source. The motivation behind these killings, be it political or not, has to be uncovered.

The organization called on the Abia State government to work towards ending the killings before they spread to other parts of the state.

“This has to be done urgently to preempt other criminal gangs and groups from exploiting the current security breach to wreak havoc in the state and parts thereof.

“It is for this and other reasons that the Foundation calls on Governor Alex Otti to ensure that security votes are channelled to securing the state under his watch.

“The need to address this by the breach in security is urgent. The governor must see to it that this trend becomes a thing of the past as he did in the Lokpanta axis which was at some point kidnappers’ den.

“FENRAD calls on the Governor to act decisively and timely as this trend is already taking a toll on the investment landscape of Abia State he has been working hard to expand”, the statement added.