THE Abia State Government has insisted that “no security operative was killed” in the gun battle between the operatives and yet-to-be identified gunmen during an attack on Aba, the commercial hub, in the early hours of Monday, July 29.
Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Okey Kanu, who disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the Government House, Umuahia, added: “Earlier today, some criminal elements operating in three vehicles engaged in a gun fight with military personnel and security operatives at Umuode Tonimas Junction along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
“From that spot, the armed criminals headed to Umuojima in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, where they had an exchange of gun fire with military personnel.
“In the ensuing gunfight, the criminals were overwhelmed by the superior gun power of the security operatives and in the process, one of them was neutralised.
“The other criminals escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds in one of their get away vehicles, a Lexus SUV.”
He said the security operatives were on the trail of the fleeing criminals, adding that government received credible intelligence that the criminals were on the prowl to cause mayhem in Abia, stressing government’s determination to stop them.
Kanu urged the people of the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious moves by any individual to the nearest Police Station or any security agency, reiterating the state government’s resolve not to tolerate criminal activities and stressed its zero-tolerance stance for criminal activities in Abia.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander McDonald Uba (rtd), added that there was no loss of life recorded on the side of the security operatives during the attacks on the part of security agencies, which he said was a testimony of the fact that government had reviewed its strategy.
“The governor has given marching orders that we no longer want to concede to these criminals elements who use occasional warfare to spring up surprises, shoot policemen, shoot army personnel and all that.
“What happened today is a testament to the fact that we have also reviewed our strategy and my assurances is that going forward, it will be a different ballgame,” he said.
Uba said also confirmed that one of the hoodlums was killed in the gun duel and security operatives had taken custody of the Toyota Highlander Jeep in which he was being conveyed, while other assailants who escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds were being trailed and credible intelligence available to government revealed that another assailant had also died.
“I know we will close in on them, but this goes to show that it is no more business as usual,” he said.
