Kidnapping: Soldiers Declare War In Abia

13 October 2010 00:11 Wisdom Patrick, Lagos   . .>
Kill 172, arrest 237, quiz 7 LG chairmen


The Joint Task Force (JTF) tackling the menace of kidnapping in the south-eastern part of the country yesterday allegedly killed 172 persons suspected to be members of the different kidnapping gangs that have been terrorising residents of Abia State and its environs.



President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered deployment of military personnel to Abia State in the wake of high-level insecurity, including kidnappings in that part of the country.

The kidnappers allegedly fell to the superior gunpower of members of the JTF during a gun duel at the different parts of the state. It was also gathered that some 237 suspected members of kidnapping gangs that have been operating in the state have been arrested by the task force. The JTF, it was also learnt, has so far questioned seven local government chairmen in Abia State alone.

A competent police source who disclosed this to LEADERSHIP in a telephone interview from Umuahia, Abia State capital, also added: “So far I can say we have succeeded by 70 percent, because business houses, including banks have opened for businesses. private schools have resumed. In short, lives have returned to normal and we hope to consolidate on this.”

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim in a telephone chat stated that he can not confirm the casualty figure, “but I can tell you that, there have been casualties and we also made some arrests, including prominent Abia State residents. That is not the issue, the issue, is what we have been able to achieve in this short period and I can tell you that a lot have been achieved. Because banks in the state have returned back to work and there is relative peace in major cities of the state presently.”

The police boss stated further that some security operatives had soiled their hands in the dirty business of criminality, stressing that those found wanting have been identified and shall be dealt with accordingly.

Ringim said that his dream is to leave Abia state and its commercial city of Aba, in peace. “We want to leave Aba, the way Aba used to be in those days. We cannot afford the activities of criminals in our midst, there is law and order in this country and it must be respected by all residents of Nigeria,” the IGP stated.

He stated that his vision is to take kidnapping to zero level in Nigeria within the shortest possible time, arguing that no country progresses in the atmosphere of insecurity and fear. According to him, kidnapping is as worst as terrorism and armed robbery, stating that, every country that had advanced in the socio-economic life of the citizens must rise-up against criminalities of all phases.

lives have returned to normal

niceprof:

Even the uninformed knows that kidnapping in Abia state is politically motivated,it became pronounced when the rift in PPA became apperant.The Fedral government have  been non-chalant about it cos they (PDP)were weignig their options on how to  takeover Abia State.Now that Abia is in PDP bondage,FGN is deciding to do what it ought to have done and save innocent lives that have so far been lost -playing politics with innocent lives.

When Theo orji decided to dine with the devil(PPA) didnt he know that this will be the outcome if  he ever tried to back off? when he agreed with them to stage manage the alleged shooting spree attempt  on his life in the earlier days of his administration,didnt he know that the game could be taken farther?  The innocent lifes been killed in ABA are not that of kidnappers cos we all know that there are only two kidnappers in ABIA STATE -PDP AND PPA.
 
So let the security outfits stop these extra judicial killings and go after the true culprits:PDP-THEO ORJI-PPA(ORJI UZOR KALU)

niceprof:

Even the uninformed knows that kidnapping in Abia state is politically motivated,it became pronounced when the rift in PPA became apperant.The Fedral government have  been non-chalant about it cos they (PDP)were weignig their options on how to  takeover Abia State.Now that Abia is in PDP bondage,FGN is deciding to do what it ought to have done and save innocent lives that have so far been lost -playing politics with innocent lives.
When Theo orji decided to dine with the devil(PPA) didnt he know that this will be the outcome if  he ever tried to back off? when he agreed with them to stage manage the alleged shooting spree attempt  on his life in the earlier days of his administration,didnt he know that the game could be taken farther?
 The innocent lifes been killed in ABA are not that of kidnappers cos we all know that there are only two kidnappers in ABIA STATE -PDP AND PPA.
 So let the security outfits stop these extra judicial killings and go after the true culprits:PDP-THEO ORJI-PPA(ORJI UZOR KALU)

deor03:

Why do we keep every act of criminality tied to Politics?

People are committing  crime and we are saying it is politics?

Sometimes, I wonder the what the definition of Politics is

Care-Taker:

Kidnapping in Abia has been political, the politicians hijacked this trade from armed robbers, recruited the armed robbers and financed their enterprises and have since been financing their enterprises.

The former deputy governor that was arrested with some of his boys carrying arms and was declared to be at large then, was his declaration to be at large not political?

Political thuggery translated into labour, employing hardened criminals became lucrative and all these metamorphosed into present day kidnapping, the powers that be in Abia knows all the culprits or who's camp committed each or a particular crime.

deor03:

So it is right to say they were Politician and now they are CRIMINALS.

If a University Lecturer drops His profession for Crime, we can say the Crime is Educational

deor03:

So it is right to say they were Politician and now they are CRIMINALS.

If a University Lecturer drops His profession for Crime, we can say the Crime is Educational

chiozor:

@slap 1
is the situation different from what is being painted here by the police?
are there still crime ongoing in Aba/PHC expressroad?
Like you said you relocated, do you have a confirmed contact for geninue information please tell us

chines4:

Until Osisi Ka Nkwu is arrested am not travelling to Abia State Aba in particular, shikana

Odunnu:

Slap1,you sound like you are talking with tongue in your cheek.
I believe whatever you say about,i'l rather read your 'eyewitness' account than read paper. So,whats the situation like in Aba?

sulad82i:

I'm sure most of the people killed are innocent. Probably be in the wrong place at the wrong time.