Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has explained that his administration avoids interfering in the operations of security agencies because of its commitment to transparency and accountability.

Otti spoke on Wednesday during a send-off ceremony in Umuahia for outgoing security commanders who had served in the state before their recent transfers.

The governor was responding to remarks by some of the departing commanders, who commended him for allowing them to perform their duties without interference.

“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,” Otti said.

He thanked the outgoing commanders for their sacrifices, dedication, cooperation and discipline in helping to maintain security across the state.

According to him, security remains one of the most demanding responsibilities, noting that many security personnel work through the night to ensure residents can sleep peacefully.

“I want to also thank the outgoing service commanders for their sacrifices, for their hard work, for their cooperation, for their discipline in working with everyone to secure this state. It’s one of the most difficult jobs. A lot of you don’t sleep, so that the rest of us can sleep,” he said.

Otti said his administration relied on the security commanders because of the importance it attached to security, adding that their collaboration had produced impressive results.

“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,” he said.

Otti offers returnees jobs

The governor assured the outgoing commanders that the relationships they had built with Abia would remain cordial even after their transfers.

He also said any of them who wished to return to the state could be considered for employment.

“We need foreigners to develop our state. Once you live in our state, you are an indigene. We and you are brothers. We will accommodate you if you wish to come back,” Otti said.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribole, said the ceremony was organised to recognise the contributions of the outgoing commanders to security in Abia.

Meribole said their departure would not erase the impact of their service, adding that their sacrifices had contributed significantly to the peaceful security situation in the state.

“The peace we are enjoying today is as a result of your sacrifice,” he said.

Commanders commend governor

In separate goodwill messages, the outgoing commanders praised Otti for allowing security agencies to operate without interference while providing them with the necessary support.

The departing officers included the Commander of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General H.M. Bello; the state Commissioner of Police, now Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Danladi Isa; the State Director of the Department of State Services, Ibrahim Sarki; the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akinsola Aderemi; and the state Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Chigbu Odoemenam.

They said the governor’s support and non-interference had contributed to improved security across the state.

“We have not seen where the governor does not interfere with the security architecture and readily give assistance to us. Abia is today safe because of this,” they said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Navy Commander MacDonald Uba, urged the newly deployed security commanders to build on the cooperation established between their predecessors and the state government.