Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has hinted that soldiers stationed
\nin the state under the Operation Python would be withdrawn effective
\ntomorrow.
\nHis statement reads:<\/p>\n
Dear brothers and sisters, the\u00a0 security situation in the state in the
\npast few days, which led to the deployment of soldiers into our state
\nahead of the Operation Python dance 11, has become of great concern to
\nboth the government and the citizenry.
\nAfter several interventions, I want to inform you that by tomorrow
\nmorning, there will be withdrawal of solders from the streets at Aba and
\nUmuahia, apart from the pre-existing military checkpoints at various
\nlocation in the state.
\nWith the expected exit of soldiers from the streets, we must warn that we
\nwill not tolerate agitators and protesters taking over the streets for any
\nreason at all.
\nI will also be meeting the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
\nForces, President Mohamaudu Buhari, to discuss possible ways of relaxing
\nthe Operation Python dance 11 in the state for now.
\nOur attention have been drawn to ugly incidences of attacks on\u00a0 police
\nstations and military posts at Aba and Umuahia and we hereby warn that we
\nwill no longer tolerate that, and all other acts that are capable of
\ncausing insecurity in the state.
\nWe have also observed illegal acts of throwing petrol bombs and setting up
\nof bonfires to obstruct free movements along some roads\u00a0 by suspected
\nmiscreants and wish to warn that such acts should stop forthwith.
\nTo mischief makers who want to use Abia as their base, let me announce to
\nyou that henceforth, Abia will be too hot for you to carry out your wicked
\nacts as the government will work with security agents to ensure the
\nprotection of lives and properties in the state without fear or favor.
\nThere will be no hiding place for you.
\nAt about midnight yesterday, we received security reports that hoodlums
\nand miscreants, some of whom were allegedly brought into the state by
\nunscrupulous individuals, were mobilizing around Uratta road at Aba with a
\nview to converging at Ariaria International Market to burn it down. Their
\naim was obviously to take advantage of the security situation in the state
\nto cripple the economy of the state and cause widespread suffering.
\nIt was this group that originated the rumors of attacks and counter
\nattacks around the area and also tried to create panic to force people out
\nof their homes to enable them execute their evil intentions under the
\ncover of orchestrated crises.
\nThankfully their plan was nipped in the bud by the combined team of
\nsoldiers and policemen that promptly moved to the area and later
\npositioned around Ariaria market to protect the lives and properties of
\nour people.
\nWe have it on good authority that the same group of hoodlums attempted to
\nburn down the police station at Ariaria market early today and security
\nagents are currently on the hunt for them and those outside the state who
\nare sponsoring their evil actions. Not even one of them will escape the
\nfull weight of the law.
\nMembers and sympathizers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should
\nhenceforth desist from spreading false rumors capable of throwing our
\nstate into disorder. Those spreading such falsehood will be dealt with,
\naccording to the Law.
\nMy fellow Abians, it is in the interest of all our citizens and residents
\nfor full and total peace and security to return to our state immediately.
\nNo meaningful progress can be made in an atmosphere of violence and and
\nanarchy.
\nThose at Aba are therefore advised to fully observe the current curfew in
\nthe city and ensure that they cooperate with security agents to maintain
\npeace and order.
\nI swore to protect lives and properties of all Abians and residents and
\nthat I must do. I therefore call on all to support our efforts at making
\nsure that lasting peace prevails in our dear state.
\nGod bless Abia State.
\nGod bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
\nDr Okezie Ikpeazu
\nGovernor of Abia State.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has hinted that soldiers stationed in the state under the Operation Python would be withdrawn effective tomorrow. His statement reads: Dear brothers and sisters,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n