The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has approved the deployment of State Vigilante outfit, Bakassi Boys to all the rural communities in the state following the havoc wreaked by the Fulani herdsmen on communities in the state and across the country.
Taking the security of the State’s citizen as a top priority, the Governor further directed that 10 youths should be nominated to the Local Government Commissioner by all monarchs in the state to join a planned intensive training to be conducted by the Local Vigilante group.
The state Governor maintained that the local Vigilante group will assist in upholding security while under the supervision of the State’s Police force.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu further mandated that all vehicles and trucks entering into the state from any part of the country must be duly and properly searched. He added that markets and settlements where livestocks an dealers are settled should be searched and screened properly to uphold security in the state.
In a bid to put a lasting solution to the menace caused by the Fulani herdsmen, the state government also constituted a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state. The committee is to be headed by the Local Government chairmen with Divisional Police Officers in the councils, NSCDC heads, the DSS Local Government Chiefs, Chairmen of Traditional Rulers Council and Heads of Hausa communities in the councils as members.
Governor Ikpeazu in statement issued said: “My dear brothers and sisters, I have been informed of the very unfortunate incident that happened in Aba, the commercial town of our dear state today, where a solider killed a meat-seller at the popular abattoir located at the Ogbohill area of Aba. I condemn the act that led to the untimely death of this brother. I associate myself with his family in this moment of pains and loss, even as I commiserate with traders in the market. The solider who perpetrated this act has been arrested and taken into custody.
“I call on the people of Abia, especially those of us in Aba, to remain claim. I reassure all citizens of the state that the government is doing everything to protect lives and property of citizens from any attack.
“I have instructed and equipped security agencies in the state to ensure watertight security around our boarders and towns against any form of attack.
“I have directed that the men of the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS), popularly known as Bakassi, to commence, with immediate effect, a two week intensive training, for onward deployment to our communities to assist in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police.”