Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he does not interfere in the operations of military chiefs serving in the state.
Governor Otti stated this on Wednesday in Umuahia, saying it was wrong for a governor to order a Commissioner of Police or other security chiefs to release a suspect who has committed an offence without allowing a thorough investigation.
The Abia State Governor was speaking at a send-off ceremony organised by his administration for outgoing military and paramilitary commanders who served in the state.
He noted that when security chiefs face interference from the executive arm of government, it could compromise their professionalism, especially in the fight against insecurity.
“The reason we don’t interfere is that we have nothing to hide. And for us, what is right is right. If it is not right, it’s not right.
“Because I won’t pick up my phone and call the Commissioner of Police or anybody to say, ‘Release somebody.’ Once you start doing that, then you’ve started losing it,” Governor Otti stressed.
He thanked the officers for their service in Abia State, noting that their dedication to duty contributed immensely to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
Governor Otti further assured the outgoing commanders that the cordial relationship built with the state government would be sustained despite their relocation.
Those honoured by the state government included Brigadier General Hassan Muhammed Bello, the immediate past Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, and AIG Danladi Isah, the immediate past Commissioner of Police.
Others were Mr Ibrahim Sariki, the immediate past State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS); Aderemi Akinsola of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and Commandant Chigbu Odoemelam Chile of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State Command.
Why I don’t instruct security chiefs to free suspects from detention – Gov Otti