The Abia State Government on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, held a send-off ceremony in honour of outgoing security commanders who served in the state and were recently transferred, with Governor Alex Otti reaffirming his administration’s policy of non-interference in security operations.
In a statement signed by Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State, on August 19, the government said the ceremony, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, was organised to appreciate the departing commanders for their service and contributions to the security of Abia.
The outgoing officers honoured at the event were the immediate past Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Hassan Muhammed Bello; immediate past Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, now Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Danladi Isah; immediate past State Director of the Department of State Services, Ibrahim Sariki; immediate past State Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Akinsola Aderemi; and immediate past Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Abia Command, Commandant Chigbu Odoemelam Chile.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Otti commended the commanders for their sacrifices, discipline and commitment to protecting residents, saying their efforts had contributed significantly to the improved security situation in the state.
“I want to thank the outgoing service commanders for their sacrifices, for their hard work, for their cooperation, and for their discipline in working with everyone to secure this State.
“Sometimes, some people may not understand, particularly if you are not in the security cycle. It’s one of the most difficult jobs. A lot of you don’t sleep, so that the rest of us can sleep.
“So, I relied on all of you, and because we take it very seriously, and because we also have God on our side, the results have been very impressive,” Otti said.
The governor also explained his administration’s decision not to interfere in the operational affairs of security agencies, insisting that such interference would undermine the integrity of the security system.
“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,” he stressed.
Otti assured the departing commanders that the cordial relationship they established with the state government would continue despite their transfers, adding that Abians would remain hospitable to them.
He also disclosed that additional parting gifts had been arranged for the officers and would be delivered through the Special Adviser on Security Matters.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meríbeole, commended the outgoing commanders for serving at a time when security remained a major priority of the Otti administration.
Meríbeole said their collaboration with the state government had helped strengthen Abia’s security architecture and wished them success in their new postings.
He also urged the security commanders remaining in the state to sustain their commitment to protecting lives and property.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (Rtd), said the recognition of departing security commanders had become a tradition under the Otti administration.
Ubah recalled that Otti had previously organised a befitting send-off for a former Brigade Commander and thanked the governor for consistently providing the basic logistics and support required for effective security operations.
He urged the serving commanders to emulate their outgoing colleagues and disclosed that the governor had approved additional appreciation packages for the departing officers.
In their goodwill messages, the outgoing commanders praised Otti for what they described as his friendly and supportive disposition towards security agencies in Abia.
They described the governor as the “bedrock” of their successes in the state, saying they were motivated and provided with the necessary logistics to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
The officers further said Abians were fortunate to have a compassionate and security-friendly governor who had consistently prioritised security and acted promptly on measures designed to improve the safety of residents.
According to them, Abia is now “the most secure State in the federation.”
The ceremony was attended by government dignitaries, security stakeholders and other prominent residents of the state.
