I am on a sympathy visit to Abia – IGP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, said he was in Abia State on a sympathy visit to the state and the entire South East over the ugly incident of last week’s Operation Python Dance II by the Nigerian Army.

The IGP asserted this Thursday when he paid a courtesy call on the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, stating that Nigeria is better when united, noting that every part of Nigeria has its strength which if harnessed will make the country greater.

The IGP said that it was the responsibility of every Nigerian to keep the country united in order to progress more.

He commended the Governor, Dr. Ikpeazu for his role in dousing the tension and returning normalcy to the state and announced the promotion to the rank of ASP of Mr. Cyril Nwosu who lost his life during the crisis.

Speaking later at an interactive session with Abia traditional rulers and members of Hausa and Yoruba communities at the Okpara auditorium after a courtesy visit on the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Inspector General of Police in Umuahia vowed that the police would do everything in their power to sustain peace in Abia state after the traumatic crisis of last week.

“We are here in solidarity to ensure peace and stability in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the Nigerian nation could only grow and prosper in an atmosphere of peace.
The IGP, whose entourage included the Assistant inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 9 Umuahia, Hosea Karma, the state Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi and his Imo state counterpart, Chris Ezike, among other top ranking officers, expressed satisfaction that normalcy has returned to Abia.

According to him, all through his journey from Owerri to Umuahia “we’ve seen a lot of changes, the happiness on the faces of people” suggesting that the storm was over.
According to him, despite the crisis occasioned by the secessionist agitations and the attendant tension generated by the clampdown by the soldiers of operation Python Dance, Nigeria would overcome the stress.

“I believe that Nigeria will grow stronger and I have faith in the unity of this country,” he said, adding that every part of Nigeria has its strength which could be harnessed together to build a strong united nation.

He thanked God that peace has been restored to the state through the instrumentality of the police and other security agencies maintaining that except there is peace, there won’t be growth.

“We see the police force as enablers that can help us drive growth in all aspects of our economic growth in Nigeria. We believe firmly that unless there is security we cannot grow our prosperity.”

“History is replete with countries that try to break away and come back also. So I want you to continue with your work.

Beyond the recession, Nigeria is trying to create a foothold by attracting foreign direct investment so we need to have security”.

Also speaking at the at the interactive session with Abia traditional rulers and members of Hausa and Yoruba communities at the Okpara auditorium later, Gov. Ikpeazu assured that Abia is a very peaceful state and would remain so despite the ugly incidents of the last week, adding that “we reaffirm our faith in one Nigeria.”

He commended the IGP for coming to Abia on solidarity because “the security of Nigerians from Lake Chad basin to the banks of the Atlantic Ocean is very important.”
 

Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia