- Abia Govt Speaks On Attack
By Abiola Olawale
Chief Sonny Iroche, the Convener/National Coordinator of the Abia Professionals has condemned in very strong terms the attack by some suspected gunmen on the Abayi police station in Aba, Abia State.
The gunmen had attacked the police station located in Osisoma Local Government area of Abia State, early Tuesday.
Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Abia State Police Command has confirmed the attack, adding that scores of casualties were recorded including two officers, who reportedly lost their lives to the attack.
However, two of the gunmen were gunned down by police officers who tried to repel the attack.
Reacting to the attack in a statement he issued on behalf of the Abia professionals’ group, Iroche, who is top banking chief charged government at all levels to embrace their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of citizens in the country.
He said the attack on the institution charged with the responsibility of security should send a strong signal to the government.
Iroche’s statement reads: “The impunity and dare devil act of attacking a police station, which is the institution charged with the responsibility of internal safety and security sends a very wrong signal to the citizenry and prospective foreign investors that nobody is safe under these circumstances. It is about time that the country takes security of lives and property seriously. If a police station in a commercial city like Aba, could be attacked, in broad day light, then which one of us is then safe? On behalf of Abia Professionals, we express our shock and solidarity to the Men and women of the Nigeria Police, and those who were directly affected by the attack, the Abia State Commissioner of Police and his command, and the Inspector-General of police.
“It is long overdue that we take both our internal and external security very seriously. Such a brazen attack cannot be tolerated and the culprits must be apprehended and brought to book as a deterrence to others who may nurse such an unacceptable crime against the state.” Irochie added.
The Abia State Government has also condemned the attack on the Abayi Police Station, assuring that the suspects would be apprehended and brought to book.
The state government also offered to give a N1m reward to anybody who provides information that would enable authorities recover the arms looted by the suspects from the police station.
This was contained in a statement released by John Okiyi-Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for
The statement reads: “The attention of the government has been drawn to a mindless and cowardly attack on a police station in Aba by yet to be identified armed hoodlums in the early hours of today (Tuesday), leading to loss of precious lives and carting away of arms and ammunition.
“We wish to assure members of the public that government is working with security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly crime and bring them to justice as quickly as possible. No part of Abia land will be ceded to criminals operating under any guise and we will not spare any resource in ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book in no distant time and the stolen arms and ammunition recovered completely.”
