By ABDULKABIR MUHAMMED

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy, and Development (FENRAD) has commended the joint intervention between Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and his Imo counterpart, Governor Hope Uzodinma, in tackling insecurity along the Aba-Owerri corridor. This was contained in a statement issued and signed by FENRAD's Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, dated 5 December 2025.

FENRAD praised the intervention as timely, while calling for more coordinated efforts to secure the release of recently abducted passengers in the Ngor Okpala axis.

"We commend the Governments of Abia and Imo States for their proactive and collaborative decision to establish a unified security taskforce to tackle the worsening insecurity along this strategic corridor. This joint intervention is timely, commendable, and demonstrates firm political will to protect lives and property within the Southeast.

"FENRAD Nigeria further calls for intensified and coordinated efforts to secure the immediate release of the passengers recently abducted at the Ngor Okpala axis. We urge security agencies to deploy enhanced intelligence gathering, advanced surveillance technology, and inter-agency collaboration to ensure their safe rescue."

The group expressed dissatisfaction in the Ngor Okpala attacks on passengers, arguing that the incidents have "heightened fear among commuters, disrupted socio-economic activities, and gravely undermined the safety, dignity, and freedom of citizens in the region."

The group has recommended deepening intelligence gathering and sharing between the unified task force of Abia and Imo states. They also suggested that the task force engage with community leaders and residents, as well as carry out professional operations devoid of human rights violations.

FENRAD Nigeria also stresses the importance of thorough investigation, arrest, and diligent prosecution of all individuals involved in these kidnapping incidents to deter future occurrences and rebuild public trust in the security architecture of the region.