Ikpeazu declares war on Abia POS robbers, other criminal elements

Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu has moved against the activities of armed robbers in Isuikwuato local government area of the state.

The move, which followed a spate of deadly armed robberies targeted at POS operators, will also help deepen security in other vulnerable areas of the state.

“I acknowledge with sadness the sudden rise in violent crime around a bad spot before Akara Junction in Isuikwuato LGA of our dear state, and the recent spike in attacks on POS vendors in Aba,” Ikpeazu said in a statement on Sunday.

“As a measure to remove the factors enabling crime in Isuikwuato, the ministry of works has been ordered to repair the failed portions of that federal road within seven days even as we are determined to emplace a permanent check point around the notorious spot.

“On Aba, we are determined and have put machinery in motion to arrest within 10 days the few criminals who operate on tricycles.

“For these mesaures being put in place to have the desired results, I urge all stakeholders including traditional rulers, vigilante groups, POS operators and the general public to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies, with whom we had a security meeting yesterday to review the situation, in releasing actionable information about suspected characters within our state.

“With the mode of operation of these criminals, it becomes imperative now as always for leadership of keke operators to purge themselves of criminal elements or face dire consequences.

“Abia has to remain the most peaceful state in Nigeria!

“Another security council meeting of the state will hold within 14 days to review the progress on all fronts.

“Let me assure Ndi Abia that with the measures put in place, they can go about their businesses without fear,” he said.

“I frown seriously at this turn of events and have charged the law enforcement agencies to dorminate all affected spaces around Isuikwuato axis and decisively combat the rising surge of crime there.