Governor Okezie Ikpeazu says killer herdsmen and unknown gunmen are Abia’s greatest challenge.

Mr Ikpeazu said this on Thursday during the presentation of staff of office to 23 newly installed traditional rulers at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

“The greatest challenge of our state is the challenge of security, whether we speak of criminal herdsmen or people that have made themselves enemies of the state,” said the governor.

He added that it was the responsibility of the rulers to tackle insecurity in their domains.

“It is your duty as the chief security officers to be vigilant, wary, and careful of the activities that take place in your various communities,” explained Mr Ikpeazu. “We will leverage on the intelligence which we expect to get from you and the pieces of advice from your wealth of experience to tackle any security challenge in various communities.”

According to Mr Ikpeazu, the role of the traditional rulers as leaders of their communities required them to take note of activities taking place in their localities, saying fulfilling that role will enable them to provide the government with intelligence reports.

Mr Ikpeazu urged the traditional rulers to set up machinery for the effective administration of their various communities and promote the interest of their subjects, encouraging them to sow seeds of unity and remain law-abiding.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, Eze Chibuzo Ngwakwe of Mgboko Itungwa thanked the governor for supporting their quest to serve.

“We have accepted the responsibility bestowed on us by the state government, and we promise to live up to expectations,” Mr Ngwakwe added.

(NAN)