The Abia government has said that it is prepared to collaborate with the Nigerian Army toward tackling insecurity in the state and South-East zone.

Gov. Alex Otti said this on Wednesday, when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, visited him in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area (LGA).

Mr Otti said that the issue of security remained a top priority in the rebuilding agenda of the state government.

Mr Otti said that the cordial working relationship between the Abia government and the Nigerian Army contributed immensely to tackling the security issues in the state, particularly in Lokpanta, Umunneochi LGA.

According to him, the government has launched an inter-agency intervention, known as “Operation Crush”, headed by the army.

He said that the initiative had yielded good results in the fight against insecurity in the state.

Mr Otti said that the government had deployed necessary resources to ensure that the initiative would be successful.

He further said that the commitment of the army to the initiative was very commendable, as peace and normalcy had been restored in Abia.

He said: “We have worked together with the military as partners in progress and your men don’t sleep.

“Anytime there is a signal and we call on them they respond promptly, please extend our gratitude to them.

“We are very happy with the relationship we have and that anytime they have a need, whether infrastructure or vehicle, to the best of our ability, we try to meet the need, irrespective of the economic situation.”

The governor further said: “Our people want security because, without security, you can’t talk about investment or even sleep with your two eyes closed, not to talk of foreign direct investment, which we badly need to develop the state.

“You are very critical to the development of the state, so we will work with you,” he said.

Mr Otti also said that Mr Lagbaja’s visit further strengthened the Abia government’s resolve to partner with the army to secure not just the state but the entire South-East.

Earlier, Mr Lagbaja said that he was on a working visit to Abia as part of his tour of the army formations and units in the South-East.

He commended the Abia government for the tremendous improvement in the security situation in the state and its immeasurable support toward the successful operations of the Army in the state.

“I also want to appreciate Your Excellency for your personal leadership that has led to tremendous improvement in the security situation in Abia since your assumption of office.

“I am saying this based on the hindsight of my knowledge concerning the state and the challenges I encountered as GOC 82 Division.

“I also want to pledge the readiness, willingness and availability of the formations and units of 14 Brigade and even other Nigeria Assets deployed around this area to support the government of Abia,” Mr Lagbaja said.

He further said that the army would continue to assist the state government in ensuring that the security in Abia would continue to improve in order to provide the enabling environment for economic activities and development to thrive.

He thanked the governor for the warm and cordial relationship between the army and the state government.

He said, “I solicit that you continue to impress on the people to support the Nigerian Army so that together we will deliver on our constitutional responsibility.”

(NAN)