As a result of the incessant slaughter of innocent people by the Fulani herdsmen, the governor of Abia State has sent the dreaded Bakassi Boys to protect his people.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has concluded plans to deploy the State Vigilante Services (AVS), popularly known as Bakassi Boys, to communities across the state to assist in providing security. This is coming after the recent massacre of innocent farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria.
Also, the governor vehemently condemned the killing of two butchers by soldiers at the abattoir in the Ogbor Hill area of Aba, which led to massive protests on Thursday in the commercial city.
The governor revealed that the soldier that murdered the butcher in cold blood had been arrested and taken into custody, and urged the people to remain calm as justice would be done.
“I call on the people of Abia, especially those of us in Aba, to remain calm. I reassure all citizens of the state that the government is doing everything to protect lives and property of citizens from any attack,” he said.
Ikpeazu said he had “instructed and equipped security agencies in the state to ensure watertight security around our boarders and towns against any form of attack.”
ThisDay reports that, prior to the deployment of the Bakassi Boys, the governor said they would undergo “intensive training” that would last for two weeks which he directed should commence with immediate effect.
He explained that the deployment of the Bakassi Boys was to assist in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, adding that more personnel would be enlisted into the AVS.
He therefore directed all the traditional rulers in the state to submit names of 10 youths from their community to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
“I have mandated the law enforcement agencies to search and screen all trucks and vehicles conveying livestock, food items and persons into the state from any part of the country. The law enforcement agencies will also search and screen markets and settlements where livestock and dealers are, to ensure security,” he said.
He urged the people to report any suspicious activity of strange persons to security operatives.
Governor Ikpeazu said: “I want to encourage our people to report any suspicious movement of strange persons within our communities to the Traditional Rulers or call any of the following Police Emergency Control phone numbers, 08079210003, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08035425405 for prompt deployment of a Rapid Response Unit formed for the purpose of security alert.”