The Abia State government has categorically denied the recent social media report alleging that it is indebted to Nigerian soldiers serving in the multi-agency security task force, Operation Crush.
Addressing the issue, Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alex Otti, labeled the report as misleading and outright falsehood.
The government clarified that it has consistently met its financial obligations to the anti-crime task force, emphasizing that the timely remuneration of soldiers has significantly contributed to the management of violent crimes and the dismantling of kidnapping syndicates, particularly along the Umunneochi-Uturu-Okigwe axis of the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway.
Attributing the social media report to “detractors who have been dislodged from political power,” the Otti-led administration urged the public to disregard the unfounded claims of indebtedness to the soldiers.
In a notable development, the state government also announced the commencement of the clearance process for the accumulated eight years of salary arrears owed to employees of the Abia State judiciary.
The official statement further highlighted, “Just two days ago, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), comprising judicial workers in Abia State, conveyed their appreciation to Governor Otti for fulfilling the commitment to settle the arrears of their Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Structure (CONJUSS), pending since 2015.”
“Through their union leader and chairman, Oracle Chinedu Eze, the employees expressed profound gratitude to Governor Otti and the government of Abia State for honouring the salary payment pledge,” the statement affirmed.
