Dislodging Bandits from Abia Forests and Communities – Otti's Efforts

Abia State Governor Alex Otti explained that when he assumed office, kidnappers, armed robbers, and other criminal gangs controlled several communities in the state. His administration subsequently removed them.

Speaking at his third‑anniversary address at Umuahia Township Stadium on Friday, Otti described how the bandits had established camps in forests, from which they terrorised villagers, forcing residents to panic or flee.

He said the state government had restored control of the affected areas through close cooperation with security agencies.

“Security was a major challenge in the state three years ago. Several communities were held hostage as kidnappers, armed robbers, and other criminal groups set up camps in the forests from where they launched sporadic attacks on innocent Abians,” he said.

Governor Otti praised the heads of security agencies and traditional rulers for their roles in restoring security and order, and urged citizens to continue providing information that would help sustain the fight against criminals.

He also noted that 2,997 truckloads of refuse were removed from the streets of the state a few weeks after he took office in 2023, reducing environmental pollution and associated health risks.

Otti added that under his administration, civil servants and pensioners no longer beg on the streets for their monthly salaries and pensions, as had been the case previously.

While thanking the people of Abia for their support, the governor pledged that state funds and other resources would never be wasted on frivolities.