Abia Governor Otti Celebrates Two-Year Milestone with Bold Claims of Security Triumph and Economic Progress

 

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed a series of bold accomplishments by his administration, including the successful expulsion of bandits from two of the state's previously troubled local government areas—Isuikwuato and Umunnochi. Addressing a large crowd at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the celebration marking his second year in office, Otti highlighted sweeping reforms, a renewed security landscape, and significant strides in economic redress.

Until recently, the local governments of Isuikwuato and Umunnochi had been synonymous with insecurity and lawlessness. The governor recalled how, before he assumed office, those areas had been overrun by criminal elements, forcing residents to flee their ancestral homes and discouraging others from returning to their communities. That reality, according to Otti, has been upended by the establishment of “Operation Crush”—a joint security initiative deployed to reclaim and secure affected regions.

He credited the successes of the anti-banditry operation to the unwavering efforts of the Nigerian Army, the police force, and other security operatives who have been fully supported by his administration with logistics and resources. The combined security outfit, Otti noted, has successfully flushed out the criminal gangs that once held sway in the two LGAs, thereby restoring peace and enabling displaced persons to begin returning to their homelands.

“It is with great satisfaction that I report the liberation of Isuikwuato and Umunnochi from the grip of criminals who had turned those areas into zones of terror. Today, our people are beginning to live without fear, and our communities are thriving again,” the governor told cheering residents.

Otti’s remarks weren’t limited to matters of security. He also shed light on what he described as the financial rehabilitation of the state, announcing that over N40 billion has already been spent by his government in clearing arrears of salaries and pensions. According to him, these payments were necessary to restore dignity to workers and retirees who had long been neglected by previous administrations.

Speaking with a mix of pride and urgency, he addressed the transformation of the state’s sanitation landscape. Once labeled among the dirtiest in Nigeria, Abia, he said, has undergone a dramatic clean-up initiative. He credited this turnaround to both government-led campaigns and the growing cooperation of residents. While expressing joy over the development, he also urged citizens to maintain the improved environmental standards, adding that cleanliness should now be part of the Abia identity.

As part of the celebration, Otti announced that several completed infrastructure projects would be officially commissioned beginning June 2025. These include roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and other public utilities spread across the state. He emphasized that his administration remains committed to development rooted in transparency, security, and economic recovery.

Gratitude to the people of Abia was another key note of the governor’s speech. He thanked residents for their steadfast support and patience, promising to remain accountable and focused on delivering the dividends of democracy.

Governor Otti’s two-year anniversary comes at a time when public confidence in leadership across many Nigerian states has waned. His message aimed not just to celebrate achievements but to reignite civic trust. The governor ended his address by reaffirming his commitment to maintaining support for all security agencies and continuing policies designed to improve lives across the state.

Residents in attendance responded with visible enthusiasm, waving banners and chanting pro-Otti slogans, while security operatives and dignitaries stood in salute of what many described as a turning point in the state’s history.

As Abia looks toward the next chapter under Otti's leadership, many are now watching to see if these early gains will evolve into long-term transformation.