Abia Govt Denies Owing Soldiers Of “Operation Crush” Working In Umunneochi-Uturu-Okigwe Axis

Abia State government has denied report alleging that it is owing soldiers attached to the multi-agency security task force, codenamed Operation Crush, saying it is up-to-date with their payment.

The state government therefore urged members of the public to deny what it called falsehood it is meeting its obligations to the anti-crime task force, which has been instrumental in dealing with incidents of violent crimes and dislodging the kidnapping ring around the Umunneochi-Uturu-Okigwe axis, especially on the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

In a statement issued by chief press secretary to the governor, Kazie Uko, he said, “It is worthy of note that the Government of Abia State, under the able and dynamic leadership of the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has continued to pay workers salaries, pensions and all outstanding verified benefits accruing to Abia workers and retirees, since the assumption of office by Dr. Otti.

“Only two days ago, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the umbrella association of judicial workers in Abia State, wrote to thank Governor Otti for living up to his promise to pay the arrears of their Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Structure (CONJUSS), which had remained outstanding since 2015.”

According to him, the workers through their union leader and Chairman, Oracle Chinedu Eze, expressed their gratitude to Governor Otti and government of Abia State for fulfilling the promise of salary payments.

“It is with a grateful heart full of joy and happiness that I, on behalf of the entire Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria members and executives, wish to inform and appreciate you for the first batch of the CONJUSS arrears paid yesterday (November 15, 2023).

“Sir, we are most grateful and thankful Sir. May Almighty God bless you mightily. Amen and remain lifted,” Mr. Eze wrote in a message to the Abia State Governor, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna.

Uko said the falsehood being peddled on the social media is the handwork of the enemies of the State, who have lost their hold on political power in the state, accusing them of seeing nothing good in Governor Otti, their Achilles heel.