BY GORDI UDEAJAH
Following the killing of two Chinese Miners and a Police Officer on Friday at their Mining Site at Uturu in Isuikwuato Council, Abia State, the state governor, Dr Alex Otti has tasked Security Agencies to do the needful and apprehend their killers describing their killing as brutal and for non disclosed reason or provocation.
The governor’s directive was announced in a press release by his Special Adviser- Media/Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma in which he expressed governor Otti’s outrage over the targeted attack and assured that government would provide the necessary support to Security Agents to ensure that the killers do not go scot-free.
Governor Otti , he stated “regretted that the attack bore the clear imprints of terrorism and should be strongly condemned by all men of good conscience adding that beyond creating the enabling environment for businesses and other economic activities to thrive, Otti’s government has ensured that lives and properties are protected through the provision of the necessary support to Security Agencies in the state”.
He Disclosed plans by Abia to intensify security collaboration with its neighboring States to prevent criminals from using border communities as entry points to Abia for criminal activities, stating that Governor Otti has condoled with the Nigerian Police Force, the Chinese Embassy and the families and loved ones of the victims of the attack, and prayed God to grant their souls eternal repose.
The State Police Command at the weekend also issued a Press Release marked ” Abia State Police Command Rescues Four Chinese Expatriates and Two Officers and Commences Investigation”
The Command stated that in collaboration with the military and other sister security agencies, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Uturu, it successfully rescued four Chinese expatriates and two escort Police Officers.
” This followed a distress report received on 04/04/2025 at about 17:30hrs, that unidentified armed men had ambushed and attacked a group of Chinese expatriates and their police escorts while they were en route to their company site located at Agukwu-Amaya, Ndundu Community, Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA.
The Release signed by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO ) for the state Police Commissioner, stated that ” tragically, during the attack, the manager, Mr. Quan (male), his colleague Mr. Cai (male), and Inspector Audu Saidu (one of the escort officers) were killed. The assailants also carted away the Inspector Saidu’s rifle”.
According to the PPRO , upon receiving the information, operatives from Abia State Police Command, in a joint operation with the military and other sister agencies, launched a search mission.
” As a result, three Chinese expatriates were rescued unhurt, while one sustained injuries. Inspector Uba Ahmed, who was also rescued, suffered gunshot injury on his leg. Both the injured officer and the expatriate are currently receiving treatment and responding to treatment at FMC Abakaliki”.
The PPRO concluded that the Tactical Team operatives of the command, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), has visited the crime scene as part of the ongoing search and rescue efforts and that through collaborative action involving the police, the military, and local community members, Inspector Ijeagwa Friday was also rescued unhurt.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, has assured the good people of Abia State that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be brought to justice, urging residents to remain security conscious, go about their lawful activities without fear, and support the police by reporting any suspicious persons, vehicles, or activities to the nearest Police Station or call the following Command’s emergency lines:
08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08079210006.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker for Isuikwuato Constituency in the Abia state House of Assembly Hon. Lucky Johnson condemned the incident, hailed Governor Otti’s response, and urged Isuikwuato people to stay alert, support the fight against crime and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest security post, emphasizing that the safety of the community is a collective responsibility.
He said “Security is everyone’s business. We must support our security operatives with timely information. If you see something, say something. Together, we can defeat these evil elements.”
