Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu says the security of lives and property of the people of Abia State remains a top priority of his administration while soliciting the support of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the protection of critical Government infrastructure in the State.
Ikpeazu was speaking when he recieved the new State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Abia State command, Commandant Vincent Ogu and his team at Government House Umuahia.
He further called on the NSCDC to work with the State Government to completely stamp out street cultism which has become a major factor in promotion of crime, pointing out that anybody who can use an axe to waylay people on the street is as bad as a criminal.
Governor Ikpeazu who was of the view that impunity had grown in ranks among the young ones stressed the need for a re-orientation of the youths.
He underscored the strategic importance of the Civil Defence Corps in boosting security in the State and implored the new Commandant to continue to maintain civilized officers and men who are committed to duty.
The Governor also stressed the need for the Civil Defence Corps to be a step ahead in crime prevention, noting that no meaningful development can take place in an insecure environment.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Abia State command, Commandant Vincent Ogu who said he assumed duties as the 10th Commandant of the NSCDC in the State said he was pleased with the level of support the Corps is enjoying under the administration of Governor Ikpeazu including provision of operational vehicles and logistics among others.
Ogu urged the Governor to continue to prioritize the issue of security in the State as no meaningful development can be recorded in an insecure environment.
He said that he has come to Abia to work and asked for more logistics and enabling environment to operate while promising to continue to synergize with sister agencies to ensure improved security in the State.
The new commandant disclosed that the Corps has identified dark spots in Abia and stationed its men to boost security in such areas in addition to stepping up patrol at night and requested for the establishment of a Joint Security Task Force with other security agencies for stop and search operations.
Commandant Ogu promised that he would work closely with government and relevant stakeholders and change the narrative and reduce crime to the barest minimum.
He commended the Governor for the flag off of the Crime Prevention and Management System (CPAMS) and the establishment of Homeland Security Ministry to boost security in the State, noting that these two policies are novel and do not exist anywhere else in the country.