On Wednesday, August 19, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, Abia State Governor Alex Otti paused from his routine governance activities to honour five outgoing security commanders who served the state and were recently transferred to new assignments.

The dignified send-off ceremony was organised by the state government to appreciate the officers for what it described as their meritorious service to Abia.

The honourees were AIG Danladi Isa, immediate past Commissioner of Police in Abia State; Brig. Gen. H.M. Bello, outgoing Commander of 14 Brigade, Ohafia; Ibrahim Sarki, immediate past State Director of the Department of State Services; Akintola Aderemi, outgoing State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; and Chigbu Odoemelam, outgoing Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Each of the outgoing commanders was presented with a new SUV, alongside other gifts approved by the governor.

Otti, who described himself as the Chief Security Officer of the state, acknowledged the difficult nature of the security profession and commended the officers for their sacrifices.

“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,” the governor said.

He thanked the commanders for their sacrifices, hard work, cooperation and discipline, saying their contributions had helped create the level of peace and security currently being experienced across the state.

“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.

Beyond the presentation of gifts, the ceremony also highlighted the administration’s approach to security management.

Otti said his administration regularly reviews the state’s security situation through monthly State Security Council meetings, where security reports are assessed, strategies reviewed and new deployments considered.

He also reiterated his administration’s policy of non-interference in the lawful operations of security agencies.

The governor said government officials were not permitted to use their influence to secure the release of suspected criminals, stressing that the administration was committed to the rule of law.

“My administration does not interfere with lawful police and security operations, insisting that government officials must not use their influence to secure the release of suspected criminals,” he said.

He added that those who operated within the law and did the right thing had nothing to fear.

Security chiefs commend Otti

In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, commended the outgoing commanders for their professionalism and teamwork.

He said their contributions had played an important role in maintaining peace and security across Abia.

The outgoing commanders also expressed appreciation to Otti for the recognition and support they received while serving in the state.

Brig. Gen. Bello and AIG Danladi Isa thanked the governor for honouring them and for the support provided during their tenure.

Sarki, Aderemi and Odoemelam said Otti had demonstrated that hard work and dedication were appreciated and rewarded.

They also commended the administration for providing the logistics required to perform their duties and for refraining from interfering in their official responsibilities.

Describing Abia as fortunate to have a compassionate and supportive governor, they promised to remain good ambassadors of the state.

The ceremony therefore went beyond a farewell to departing commanders. It also highlighted the working relationship between the state government and security agencies, built around institutional support, regular security reviews and respect for the operational independence of security personnel.

For the administration, the recognition of the outgoing commanders was also an acknowledgement that maintaining peace requires not only security personnel on the ground, but sustained government support and cooperation.