The Abia State Government has confirmed incidents of armed attacks in parts of Umunneochi Local Government Area, resulting in fatalities and heightening concerns over rising insecurity in the region.
Addressing journalists on Monday at the Government House in Umuahia, shortly after the weekly Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed that the attacks were carried out by suspected bandits in communities within the Isuochi axis of Umunneochi.
“There have been some security breaches in the Umunneochi area of the state, which unfortunately led to the loss of lives,” Kanu said. “The government has placed all security agencies on high alert. We are fully activating the state’s security architecture to ensure that peace and safety are restored to the affected communities.”
He reiterated the Otti administration’s firm stance against criminality, assuring residents that no part of Abia would be surrendered to lawless elements.
In a related update, the Commissioner announced that the state has not recorded any cases of diphtheria, Mpox, cholera, or Lassa fever, allaying public health fears amid national alerts over disease outbreaks.
On social welfare, Kanu disclosed that a total of 91,227 residents have been successfully enrolled in the Abia State Social Health Insurance Scheme, a key component of the state’s effort to improve access to affordable healthcare.
He also revealed plans to expand housing infrastructure, announcing that the state government will soon commence construction of four new estates located in Mgbarakuma, Obehie, Mbaisi, and Valley View.
