With effect from yesterday ( Friday ) 5th December, 2025, the joint security and surveillance Taskforce launched by the Abia and Imo states governments to patrol along the Aba-Owerri expressway and beyond commenced operations on 24 hour basis.
Special Adviser ( Media/Publicity ) to governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma who made this known in a press release , said that the Taskforce is mandated to carry out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.
He stated ” the governments of Abia and Imo States have just launched a joint security Taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State, and beyond.
” The launch followed recent attacks by criminals who want to take advantage of the high volume of human and vehicular movements on the road to perpetrate all kinds of criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities ahead of the Christmas season”.
He disclosed that the decision to set up the joint taskforce arose during a strategic emergency security meeting the two states governors, Dr Alex Otti of Abia state, and Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo state, held on Thursday 4th December, 2025, at the Imo State Government House Owerri.
According to Ekeoma, the governors resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
” The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment”.
Ekeoma also stated that governor Otti commended the Imo State governor ( Uzodinma ) for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His ( Otti ) advanced team and other passengers a few days ago, adding that the two Governors
” while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warned that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”
WRITTEN BY GORDI UDEAJAH
