In a press statement, the Chief Press Secretar to the Governor, Mr. Godwin Adindu stated that the Abia Vigilant Services was already
existing before the governor came into office and his recent announcement was only to strengthen its effectiveness.
Adindu explained that his principal's intentions were stated in a speech he made following the killing of a butcher by a soldier at
the densely populated Waterside, Ogborhill, Aba, an incident that subsequently led to rioting.
According to Adindu, Governor Ikpeazu instructed the recently re-equipped security agencies in the state to
ensure watertight security around our borders and towns against any form of attack.
"He has also directed the men of the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS) to commence, with immediate effect, a two week intensive training,
for onward deployment to our communities to assist in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police.
"All Traditional Rulers in the state have been directed to submit names of 10 able-bodied youths from their community
to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th May 2016.
These youths will be enlisted into the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS) to further boost community policing in the state.
"Law enforcement agencies have been mandated to search and monitor all trucks and vehicles conveying livestocks,
food items and persons into the state from any part of the country with a view to preventing inter-state movement of
arms and terrorists. The law enforcement agencies will also search and monitor markets and settlements where livestocks
and dealers are located, to ensure security.
"The Governor of Abia State has approved the constitution of a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee.
The Commissioner of Police will head the committee at the state level. Other members of the committee are:
The Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State Commandant of the NSCDC, the Naval Commander, Special Adviser to
the Governor on Security, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),
Myti Allah cattle dealers representative and Sarkin Hausawa.
"The State Governor has also directed the constitution of Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution
Committees in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state. The Local Government Chairmen will head the committees
in their LGAs. Other members of the committees include; Divisional Police Officers in the LGAs, Local Government NSCDC heads,
the DSS Local Government Chiefs, LGA Chairmen of Traditional Rulers Council and LGA Heads of Hausa communities"
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