Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has commended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Nigeria, for championing intelligence-led security operations, describing it as a key tool in Abia’s ongoing efforts to prevent crime and maintain peace.
Otti, who made this remark on Friday while receiving a delegation from the College, led by Rear Admiral Aniefok Uko, at his Nvosi country home as part of a study tour by participants of Course 47, stressed that his administration places high value on preventive intelligence, which enables security agencies in the state to intercept criminal activity before it escalates.
Otti Applauds Military Intelligence Efforts In Crime Prevention
“We have held a strong view that security starts from intelligence. Thorough and well-put-together intelligence would always predict and sometimes put the other forces in a state of readiness to respond before the acts happen,” Otti said.
He thanked the delegation for choosing Abia for their national tour and commended the Nigerian military for its professionalism. Otti noted that under two years, his government has made visible progress and expressed optimism that, with sustained efforts, Abia would continue to set the pace in development and governance.
Rear Admiral Uko, speaking earlier on behalf of the Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Idris-Alhaji, praised the Abia State Government for the seamless hospitality and logistics put in place for the visit, describing the tour as impactful and revealing.
“We’ve traversed the length and breadth of the state, and we’ve seen your handiwork in every area. What we were told is not half of what we have seen. Abia is called God’s Own State, but indeed, God has come down to live in the state now,” said Uko.
He explained that the tour was part of the college’s senior course curriculum, designed to expose officers to practical applications of security theory with the year’s theme, Harnessing Grassroots Intelligence for Enhanced Internal Security, chosen in response to national concerns over intelligence gaps in tackling insecurity.
According to him, grassroots institutions such as traditional rulers, market unions, youth groups and transport associations hold untapped potential for intelligence gathering, and Abia was selected as a case study for how such community structures can support internal security efforts.
“The Armed Forces Command and Staff College, established in 1976, is set to celebrate its golden jubilee next year. It has trained over 960 officers from foreign countries, including Bangladesh, North Korea and Guyana, and also offers training to police, intelligence, and civil service personnel,” Uko explained.
Gov. Otti further welcomed the personal ties between members of the delegation and Abia, noting that Rear Admiral Uko’s mother and the wife of the state’s deputy governor hail from the state.
“You are home. Please come back whenever you can to enjoy more of the hospitality of your people,” Otti said.
He congratulated the participants of Course 47 and encouraged them to adopt best practices observed during their time in Abia, assuring them that the state remains open to further collaboration with the military.
