Abia State Governor Alex Otti has confirmed two attempted kidnappings in Olokoro and Ubakala communities in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state, assuring residents that security agencies have the situation under control.

The governor disclosed this on Friday in Umuahia while responding to questions from journalists during his February media chat.

“I am aware of those incidents and I can assure you that the police are on top of them,” Otti said. “I actually got a report from the Commissioner of Police on the two incidents today. They are isolated incidents, but they happened all the same.”

According to him, measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence.

“Because they happened, we need to put procedures and everything in place to ensure that they don’t repeat. But I can assure you that they are isolated and we have measures in place to ensure that they do not happen anymore,” he added.

The incidents, which occurred last week, involved persons suspected to be cattle herders. The suspects reportedly fled after operatives of the Abia State Homeland Security intervened.

Enyimba Hotel reconstruction

The governor also spoke on the ongoing reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel in Aba, clarifying that the facility is largely owned by the Abia State Government.

According to Otti, the state owns 80 per cent of the hotel, while the remaining 20 per cent belongs to families of members of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) who previously invested in the project.

“By the time we valued everything, what they are entitled to is 20 per cent,” he said.

Otti added that the state government is open to selling its stake to interested investors.

“The state government does not intend to continue to hold 80 per cent. So if you have money, you can come and we will sell to you,” he said.

He explained that international hotel managers Radisson Blu were brought in early to guide the project.

“They are international hotel managers, and you must put yourself in a particular way for them to agree to manage your hotel. It is a five-star hotel, so you must meet minimum standards,” Otti said, adding that the firm signed the management agreement last year after assessing the economy and project viability.

Aba River cleanup plan

On environmental concerns, the governor disclosed that his administration has developed a comprehensive plan to restore the Aba River, which has suffered pollution from refuse dumping and industrial waste.

“We are going to dredge it so it can flow properly,” Otti said. “We are also working on plans to set up a leisure and entertainment centre there.”

He warned companies discharging waste into the river that such actions now attract penalties.

“It is irresponsible to discharge waste into a flowing river. Some people drink from it,” he said.

Airport project probe

Speaking on the controversial airport project initiated by the previous administration, Otti said investigations were ongoing.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been inviting people whose money somehow got into their accounts,” the governor said.

“We are still on it, and I am sure that at the appropriate time, we will get our money back.”