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A botched attempt by a criminal gang to disarm an army unit in Aba, Abia State‘s commercial capital, ended in tragedy for two of its members, who were fatally shot by soldiers.
The incident highlights the escalating violence in the region and the military’s resolve to maintain law and order.
Tragically, the intense 30-minute shootout between the soldiers and the gang members had unintended consequences, as some innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire.
The operation, though successful in neutralizing the threat, left some civilians affected by the stray bullets.Addressing journalists in Umuahia, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, explained that the gang’s intention was to amass weapons for a wave of attacks in the city.
However, their plans were decisively disrupted by security forces, who successfully eliminated two of the criminals.
The Special Adviser noted that although the soldiers demonstrated exceptional valor and skill in neutralizing the threat, the chaotic nature of the shootout led to some regrettable collateral damage, with stray bullets hitting innocent passersby.
“It’s not that the criminals are allowed to have a free day, a lot of them are being captured, and still being picked up from different places.
“There is a lot that government is doing to ensure the security of lives and property in the state. There are certain things you don’t disclose to the public. When you pick them up you carry secret investigation to ensure their collaborators and sponsors are brought to book,” he added.
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Meanwhile, the Abia State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, has said that state government is committed to offsetting all outstanding salary arrears owed various tertiary institutions in the state estimated at about N18 billion.
Briefing newsmen in Umuahia, Kanu opined that the payments would commence in AuAddressing journalists in Umuahia, Kanu disclosed that the payments will commence in August 2024, with a monthly installment of N1.5 billion, to be paid out over a 12-month period.
Kanu emphasized that the payment initiative marks a significant milestone in resolving the long-standing challenge of delayed monthly salary payments for staff at Abia State University, Uturu.
This development follows a recent meeting between Governor Alex Otti and the University’s Governing Council and Vice Chancellor, where the Governor pledged to settle the outstanding salaries.
The Commissioner reported that the governor, during the meeting, instructed the Accountant General to take immediate action to pay all outstanding monthly salaries for ABSU staff, regardless of verification status, with the payment process to be finalized within a week.
“That meeting offered the governor, the opportunity to bring those lingering issues to an end.
“In the course of the meeting, he directed the Accountant General to ensure that within the week, all outstanding salaries are paid and this will apply to both those that have been verified and those yet to be verified.
“The governor directed that the verification team be relocated to Abia State University to conclude all outstanding issues of verification of staff,” Prince Kanu opined.
According to Mr. Mike Akpara, Commissioner for Finance, the payment of ABSU’s salaries is a commitment that will be honored, with the exact amount totaling ₦17,629,767,342.09, which will be released as scheduled.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akpara, noted that the monthly installment to clear the ABSU staff arrears is ₦1,469,147,278.20, which will be paid consistently to eliminate the backlog.
