By Uche Aguoru
Over an extended period, the level of insecurity, killings, and violent crime in Abia State has reached unprecedented levels, and bloodshed is spiraling out of control. In just the past two weeks, there have been reports of over six individuals, including soldiers and policemen, killed in Umuahia.
Additionally, about eight people have reportedly been kidnapped, and several vehicles and tricycles have been stolen at gunpoint. We all seem to have gotten used to POS operators being robbed and in many cases shot and killed and the government has done nothing to protect them.
While Governor Otti, is busy traveling from one continent to another in search of cheap clout and to hawk his propaganda to the diaspora Abians in return for cheap media validation, these hoodlums became so brazen that they attacked high-profile Abians and top government functionaries convoys, and their security details.
Governor Otti and his family ride around in brand-new, customized bulletproof SUVs purchased with taxpayer money, while Abians are being killed and kidnapped daily, and the government makes no effort to strengthen security.
For the government to state that “the increasing insecurity in the state is the handiwork of the opposition” shows that the Otti’s government is not just clueless but is intentionally dishonest and misleading and this calls for serious concern.
If there is anybody to blame for the rise in insecurity, it is the Otti administration’s disengagement of over 20,000 legitimately employed civil servants.
Otti should realize that there is a serious multiplier effect on the thousands of Abians who have lost their jobs and means of employment and livelihood through his wicked and draconian policies and actions.
He must take cognizance of the fact that their families and dependents are directly and negatively impacted by the loss of those jobs and sources of livelihood.
Across the state, pervasive hunger and severe poverty have reached levels not seen since the state’s inception, while he and his family display affluence. The cost of living in the state has become unbearably high and unaffordable. Under his watch, Umuahia has become known as the most poverty-stricken town in Nigeria.
The incidences have become so worrisome that residents of Aba and Umuahia have seemingly resigned to fate and Abians in the diaspora are now scared to visit home for fear of being attacked, kidnapped, or even killed.
Former Governor Orji Kalu Inherited Insecurity, attacked and defeated it, Ochendo Global faced insecurity and surmounted it, Ikpeazu kept the state very secure and peaceful, but rather than Otti to stand up to his responsibility or seek advise having displayed evidential cluelessness, he is shifting blames and politicizing the situation.
Governor Otti is evading responsibility and has exhibited lack of capacity to confront the situation and provide effective solutions.
But rather than attack the situation with the seriousness it deserves, the Otti administration appears clueless and defeatist and is now pushing blame and politicizing security as a means of escape.
Aguoru
Is a Public Affairs Analyst
