Abia still the safest state in Nigeria

Recent high profile kidnappings and security threats in other parts of the federation as evidenced in Boko Haram, political/communal violence and extremism, the Niger Delta, maritime security and transnational crime, when put together, tends to pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s

viability as a nation.

As we wonder, who is going to be the next victim, it is poignant to fashion out appropriate responses to confront these challenges given the success of the Abia security template; a multi faceted strategy which targeted body snatchers, bandits and perpetrators of violence in

a way that did not inflict civilian casualties nor collateral damage to human rights. We believe that it needs to be embraced as a veritable architecture of a national security format for sustainable peace.

Recall that in 2009,in response to the national malaise of kidnapping, robbery, banditry and urban terrorism which spilled over to Abia from neighbouring states, His Excellency, Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji

mapped out an inimitable and well thought out security blueprint to confront the menace that was almost spiralling out of control. Enyimba City, experienced a near holocaust as foreign and local businesses fled the towns and relocated to other climes. The circle of

poverty and unemployment grew larger in the land. For close to three years, Abia citizens lived in fear of kidnappers, as people went into hiding.

In spite of all the odds, governor Ochendo engaged the services of indefatigable and hard boiled veterans, in counter insurgency methods, weapons and tactics, to firm up game plans that restored Abia to its primordial and unassailable domain of safety. This feat recently

earned him the accolade of the best security conscious governor by Africa’s dominant security watchdog SECURITY WATCH in Accra,Ghana.

This achievement did not come as a fluke but through an integrated approach of security framework that focused on maximum policing, military force, improvement of the welfare of citizens, application of judicial and correctional measures, application of the rule of law and collective participation of the stakeholders in issues of conflicts, he was able to restore peace and sustainable security in Abia.

Reduced to brass tacks, the logic of Ochendo template was threaded through these methodologies. First he re-united the divided politicalelites of the state, both within and outside and renewed their confidence and trust in Government. He insisted on inclusion of all citizens in the affairs of the state, based on equity in the sharing of State legacies, devoid of interventions of godfathers.

Dr TA Orji, then adopted dialogue as a security approach, by engaging kidnappers and all those involved in criminal violence and called for the trading of kidnappers’ weapons in exchange for money, and eventual

amnesty, re-training and re-integration into the society.

OCHENDO collaborated with all stake-holders in the society, including traditional rulers, religious organisations, active youth groups, the police, the military and other security agencies, through the sharing of intelligence information, and monetary rewards for information leading to arrest of kidnappers and violent criminals.

Further he embarked on inter-state collaboration in the monitoring and tracking of kidnappers and other criminals, with the aim of isolating them, for apprehension and legal prosecution.

He went on to apply social reform in the to check gun production and weapon running, popular in some o areas, and assisted them to find other areas of gainful employment and embarked on massive developmental projects that targeted the youths for self employment, and creation of recreational facilities to engage them to re-invent their energies.

When the need arose for an iron fist approach the governor, adopted the collective use of Federal military force in dealing with an unacceptable security threat especially when 15 innocent and vulnerable pupils of Abayi International School in Aba, were kidnapped. A decisive attack on all the known dens of kidnappers and violent criminals, was launched successfully, capturing many of them, while the most notorious kingpin ‘Osisi ka’nkwu’, died in the process.

OCHENDO’s administration directly contributed and is still funding the Nigerian Police in the state, by providing equipment and logistic supports in vehicles and other movements. These have contributed to the maximum policing of our State and improved joint surveillance of both police and military detachments.

We are proud to say that both local and foreign investors have returned to our state, and economic activities, including night life and hospitality industries are now booming in Abia State commercial cities, which were dreaded areas in the past. Today, and for close

to three years, Abia State is ranked as the safest state in Nigeria as it now rewarded as the fastest growing economy in Nigeria, with growing internal and external inflow of investments. The confidence has been renewed in the belief that peace and security must necessarily precede, and re-inforces sustainable development of any entity.

The governor’s service delivery to the people of Abia State, especially the youths, has wired them up as the guardian-angels of the new security. He continues to work hard in stream-lining and refining the politics of the state, into a merit based standards, where all citizens can aspire to the highest positions in the state, without mortgaging their conscience to godfathers’ support.

The merit based system in the state has marked it out as the pillars of support for democracy and security in Nigeria, and attracted support of all stakeholders the PDP. Today, Abia state is the number one safest state in Nigeria, a complete 180 degrees turnaround from three years ago.

Recent high profile kidnappings and security threats in other parts of the federation as evidenced in Boko Haram, political/communal violence and extremism, the Niger Delta, maritime security and transnational crime, when put together, tends to pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s

viability as a nation.

As we wonder, who is going to be the next victim, it is poignant to fashion out appropriate responses to confront these challenges given the success of the Abia security template; a multi faceted strategy which targeted body snatchers, bandits and perpetrators of violence in

a way that did not inflict civilian casualties nor collateral damage to human rights. We believe that it needs to be embraced as a veritable architecture of a national security format for sustainable peace.

Recall that in 2009,in response to the national malaise of kidnapping, robbery, banditry and urban terrorism which spilled over to Abia from neighbouring states, His Excellency, Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji

mapped out an inimitable and well thought out security blueprint to confront the menace that was almost spiralling out of control. Enyimba City, experienced a near holocaust as foreign and local businesses fled the towns and relocated to other climes. The circle of

poverty and unemployment grew larger in the land. For close to three years, Abia citizens lived in fear of kidnappers, as people went into hiding.

In spite of all the odds, governor Ochendo engaged the services of indefatigable and hard boiled veterans, in counter insurgency methods, weapons and tactics, to firm up game plans that restored Abia to its primordial and unassailable domain of safety. This feat recently

earned him the accolade of the best security conscious governor by Africa’s dominant security watchdog SECURITY WATCH in Accra,Ghana.

This achievement did not come as a fluke but through an integrated approach of security framework that focused on maximum policing, military force, improvement of the welfare of citizens, application of judicial and correctional measures, application of the rule of law and collective participation of the stakeholders in issues of conflicts, he was able to restore peace and sustainable security in Abia.

Reduced to brass tacks, the logic of Ochendo template was threaded through these methodologies. First he re-united the divided politicalelites of the state, both within and outside and renewed their confidence and trust in Government. He insisted on inclusion of all citizens in the affairs of the state, based on equity in the sharing of State legacies, devoid of interventions of godfathers.

Dr TA Orji, then adopted dialogue as a security approach, by engaging kidnappers and all those involved in criminal violence and called for the trading of kidnappers’ weapons in exchange for money, and eventual

amnesty, re-training and re-integration into the society.

OCHENDO collaborated with all stake-holders in the society, including traditional rulers, religious organisations, active youth groups, the police, the military and other security agencies, through the sharing of intelligence information, and monetary rewards for information leading to arrest of kidnappers and violent criminals.

Further he embarked on inter-state collaboration in the monitoring and tracking of kidnappers and other criminals, with the aim of isolating them, for apprehension and legal prosecution.

He went on to apply social reform in the to check gun production and weapon running, popular in some o areas, and assisted them to find other areas of gainful employment and embarked on massive developmental projects that targeted the youths for self employment, and creation of recreational facilities to engage them to re-invent their energies.

When the need arose for an iron fist approach the governor, adopted the collective use of Federal military force in dealing with an unacceptable security threat especially when 15 innocent and vulnerable pupils of Abayi International School in Aba, were kidnapped. A decisive attack on all the known dens of kidnappers and violent criminals, was launched successfully, capturing many of them, while the most notorious kingpin ‘Osisi ka’nkwu’, died in the process.

OCHENDO’s administration directly contributed and is still funding the Nigerian Police in the state, by providing equipment and logistic supports in vehicles and other movements. These have contributed to the maximum policing of our State and improved joint surveillance of both police and military detachments.

We are proud to say that both local and foreign investors have returned to our state, and economic activities, including night life and hospitality industries are now booming in Abia State commercial cities, which were dreaded areas in the past. Today, and for close

to three years, Abia State is ranked as the safest state in Nigeria as it now rewarded as the fastest growing economy in Nigeria, with growing internal and external inflow of investments. The confidence has been renewed in the belief that peace and security must necessarily precede, and re-inforces sustainable development of any entity.

The governor’s service delivery to the people of Abia State, especially the youths, has wired them up as the guardian-angels of the new security. He continues to work hard in stream-lining and refining the politics of the state, into a merit based standards, where all citizens can aspire to the highest positions in the state, without mortgaging their conscience to godfathers’ support.

The merit based system in the state has marked it out as the pillars of support for democracy and security in Nigeria, and attracted support of all stakeholders the PDP. Today, Abia state is the number one safest state in Nigeria, a complete 180 degrees turnaround from three years ago.

I can see ur boss, d governor just renewed ur contract. U have created new ids, started threads, all in a bid to sell ur shi.t We are not buying! Abia governor still remains d worst governor of d millennium.

looks like Orji is trying very hard to save his legacy. I don't know what dawned on him recently that wasn't there before but he's paying for advertisements on news stations and now this lol. abians will judge, they're not stupid.

abia

Abia governor has given u enough money 4 u 2 start promoting him and his state. Havn't u seen d ranking of governors in naija, dat. Abia state governor is worst and d last governor n naija

Abia is arguably the most under developed state in Nigeria. Aba is the place where I felt the most uncomfortable even stepping outside of my house. I've been there before. Abia isn't even the safest place in igboland let alone nigeria.

SOUTH WEST STATES ARE THE MOST SAFEST STATES.

ITS BEEN TOLD IF THOSE BAST ARDS,BOKO HARAM TRIES TO ATTACK YORUBA LAND.THERE WILL BE WAR.

When somalia is safer dan my darling state abia, @ op biko emezigo uzo ndi no na aba? Ara agbakwala unu o. Chineke ga ajukwa unu ajuju o.

MOD please help the OP move this thread to the JOKE section. I guess the OP is new here, it must have been a mistake. We forgive you all the same, but don't do it again.

OP, for how much did you sell your children's future?

Abia? Since when?

Abia is easily the most dangerous place in Nigeria. I'm not exaggerating, but many in the SE believe that the kidnappers are coming from Abia because the state is very enterprising and bold but hasn't had a good leader since independence.

This isn't an attack on my Abia people, Aba saved my family because it was there that we rebuilt our lives after the war and where my father was born, but there are issues in Abia that nobody has addressed in 50+ years because of bad leadership. The only thing holding the place is a bold citizenry and their innovative thinking, unfortunately kidnapping is the new innovation

@op. Using the military to occupy all the nooks and crannies of a place is only a temporary solution and does not make it safe. I agree that there is almost zero crime rate in Abia now but its mainly because its under military occupation.

At all o o

@ OP are u a learner?.only an insane person would see abia state as the safiest place to stay.have u 4gotten abt arm robbery,kidnapping and other criminal vices they use in making life uncomfortable 4 the people.i remember wen a friend was kidnapped and the ransom 4 his release was 1500naira airtime.dat state is a hell to live in jor.

Who wrote dis nonsense essay? I say; Otu nne gi there! Thunder fire d hand u used in writing dis. From what we hav been seeing on NTA news bar, AIT news bar, STV news bar to Nairaland front page, its clear Abia State tax payers money is working here.

Osun is the Safest State In Nigeria

The Op and his boss are nothing but lost and wandering souls.Keep looking for a corner in a circle.2013 is a year of recompense to evil leadership,so those that excaped last year judgement shouldnt celebrate yet,because its not yet uhuru for them.A governor that makes even uduagan and Ebonyi govs look like d best things after slice bread.Keep decieving urself,time will tell.

Safe my arss. D same abia that armed robbery is d other of d day. D same abia dat dey robbed my cousin @ osisioma road last month? Imo even safe pass abia. FULLSTOP

abia state governor..........is d worst tin dat av eva happened to our democracy since 1999. From kirikiri prison to government house umuahia. orji uzor kalu is jst like him, like father like son.

Abia is safe to stay for now but for developments na trash can... Abia na de only state wey they don't do petty street robbery like bag snatching, phone snatching especially in aba unless u wan make dem roast you

Abagworo: @op. Using the military to occupy all the nooks and crannies of a place is only a temporary solution and does not make it safe. I agree that there is almost zero crime rate in Abia now but its mainly because its under military occupation.

well said

Pls do you people a place in Nigeria called KEBBI STATE? The land of equity? Its the most peaceful place in Nigeria I've ever been to thou still developing in educational section but I can swear on their good roads,good people,lovely weather..+kay lemme stop here..for more info: you can ask any NYSC memeber that serve in the state thou some of them are still in their working progressively..

nairaland admins are now receiving bribes! Hit like if you agree! Ignore if you are among!

Dawdy: Osun is the Safest State In Nigeria

And probably the most boring.

Daftest article I've ever seen





BTW, I didn't read it.

Dr Sadik Magaji: Pls do you people a place in Nigeria called KEBBI STATE? The land of equity? Its the most peaceful place in Nigeria I've ever been to thou still developing in educational section but I can swear on their good roads,good people,lovely weather..+kay lemme stop here..for more info: you can ask any NYSC memeber that serve in the state thou some of them are still in their working progressively..

kebbi? Which state is kebbi sef? Mae go check ma 36 states and capital....

Kwara state is the safest. Believe it or not

I pity TA Orji for apparently forgetting that this is the Mobile phone and Social media age, where you don't just release NTA news and expect the poor masses to swallow it without complain!

I'm a christian, so I won't curse TA Orji....
oº°˚! How I want to.. That man has not done a thing for the state, I wonder why he still comes out in public to blab!! The state is 'peaceful' cos the people no longer have kidnapping value, and there's nothing to steal from dem!