Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said his administration will do everything to ensure that some natives of Ihie Osu community in Arochukwu LGA who fled their homes because of land disputes are returned safely.
Otti gave the assurance on Thursday while responding to a passionate appeal by a concerned journalist, Peter Okore, about the terrible conditions of the displaced villagers.
Otti said that the state government, through the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, is doing everything possible to ensure peace in Abia boundary communities and their neighbors in Cross River and other states.
“We have not abandoned them, very soon they will return,” Otti assured.
Governor Otti also traced the root of the crises and displacement of Ihie Osu natives to an ownership tussle over limestone-rich land in the area.
He also announced that his administration is renovating and expanding the Aba Correctional Facility, saying he believes that inmates can be reformed to become better citizens.
On the reported vandalisation of some public schools in Abia, Governor Otti expressed surprise that individuals would be destroying facilities built with public funds, but disclosed that plans are underway to recruit security operatives to protect schools in the state.
