Armed Forces Remembrance Day: How Governor Otti Restored Security In Abia

EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD

For years, insecurity defined daily life in Abia State. Kidnapping, violent crimes, and persistent fear crippled economic activities, forced businesses to relocate, and eroded public confidence, particularly in Aba, the commercial heartbeat of the state. The local economy did not collapse for lack of enterprise or ingenuity, but because insecurity made productive life unsafe and unpredictable.

Restoring security therefore became not just a governance obligation but an economic and moral imperative.

Governor Alex Chioma Otti OFR confronted this challenge head on upon assuming office in 2023. His approach was anchored on a clear understanding of history, institutions, and human sacrifice, elements he reflected on in his remarks during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. As the Governor noted, societies falter when “the barrels of the gun replace the will of the people,” underscoring the necessity of strong, disciplined security institutions that operate in service of democracy and public order. This philosophy has shaped his administration’s security architecture in Abia.

A defining feature of Governor Otti’s strategy has been the deliberate and sustained synergy between the state government and all security agencies. In his words, Abia’s recent transformation “could not have happened without the commitment of our partners in the various security establishments.” Rather than working at cross purposes, the government built a collaborative framework with security commanders, responding promptly to their operational needs. Logistics, intelligence support, mobility, and enhanced welfare were prioritised, creating an environment in which professionalism could thrive. This practical support restored morale and ensured that Abia benefitted from the very best of the nation’s security personnel.

The creation of “Operation Crush” further translated policy into visible action. With a mandate to patrol every nook and cranny of the state and respond swiftly to breaches, Operation Crush operates in close synergy with the police, military, DSS, and other paramilitary formations. This integrated security model closed long standing gaps and dismantled criminal networks that once held communities hostage. As insecurity receded, confidence returned, proving the governor’s assertion that institutions, when properly supported, can “preserve the fabrics of our sovereignty undivided.”

The impact of improved security quickly spilled into the economic sphere. As Governor Otti observed, the renewed safety in Abia has “led to the reactivation of resources that were hitherto dormant, especially agricultural lands.” Entrepreneurs and investors who once fled began to return. Markets stayed open longer, transport corridors became safer, and government initiatives on entrepreneurship, industrialisation, and socio economic development found fertile ground. Security, once the state’s weakest link, became the catalyst for economic rejuvenation.

Beyond enforcement and strategy, Governor Otti’s security governance carries a deeply humane dimension. During his address, he paid solemn tribute to officers who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, naming Lance Corporals Aminu Sani, Muazu Abdullahi, George Sylvanus and OSED Baba. More importantly, he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the families they left behind. As he stated, the state has committed itself to “provide for the welfare of the spouses and children of the deceased personnel offering channels of sustenance to the adults and then scholarships for the children to continue their education up to tertiary level.” This policy, extended to families of fallen officers in the police and other security agencies, reflects a leadership that sees security personnel not as expendable tools, but as valued citizens whose sacrifices must be honoured beyond words.

The effectiveness of this holistic approach was most evident during the last Yuletide season. At a period traditionally associated with heightened criminal activity, Abia recorded no incidents of insecurity. Residents and visitors alike attested to the visible presence, professionalism, and responsiveness of security agents throughout the state. The peaceful celebrations validated the governor’s belief that security is sustained not by fear, but by cooperation, motivation, and institutional trust.

In essence, Governor Otti’s handling of insecurity in Abia mirrors the core message of his Armed Forces Remembrance Day reflections that nations and states endure when they learn from history, strengthen institutions, honour sacrifice, and place the collective good above narrow interests. By combining firm security measures with compassion, accountability, and strategic partnerships, he has fundamentally altered Abia’s security narrative. What was once a climate of fear has given way to an atmosphere of safety, confidence, and renewed economic life proof that purposeful leadership can indeed reclaim a state from the grip of insecurity.

– Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs.