To further sustain the normalcy and peace which is reigning supreme in Abia State, the Governor,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is holding a crucial meeting this hour.

According to a release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,Mr Enyinnaya Appolos,the parley involves leaders of key market associations in the State as well as some Local Government Chairmen.

The Government Special Announcement  signed by the CPS reads:

"The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is inviting the leaders of all Market Associations in Aba, including Umuehilegbu Shoe Makers, Bakassi Shoe Makers, Ariaria Shoe Makers and leaders of all markets in Umuahia to a crucial meeting.

"Also invited are stakeholders of Aba North, Aba South, Osisioma, Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas of the state.

Venue: Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House Umuahia.

Date: Thursday, 14th September 2017.

Time: 10am ".

The Governor who has been on top of the situation arising from a military operation in
the State code named Operation Python  Dance 11,also scheduled another meeting  with all traditional rulers in the State this afternoon.

And here is an Abia State Government Special announcement released by the CPS to that effect.

"The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, is inviting all Traditional Rulers in the state to a very important and crucial meeting at the Micheal Okpara Auditorium, Government House Umuahia."

The release put the date as Wednesday, September 13,2017 (that's today) and time 2pm.

Commended by all,especially Abia citizens and Stakeholders for his handling of the issue that borders on national security,Governor has vowed to protect the lives and property of not only Abia citizens but every resident of Gods Own State. He has also assured Abians that their fundamental human rights guaranteed  by the constitution would be protected at all times in as much as they are law abiding.

The action Governor has been at his best since the unfortunate fracas between Nigerian Army  and members of IPOB agitating for Biafra.

A senior Abia Government official,who spoke on a note anonymity told ABIA GAZETTE this morning of Wednesday, September 13,2017: 

"The Abia State Governor Dr Ikpeazu must be commended for the steps he has taken so far to restore order in the largely peaceful State.

What he did first was to explain to Abians the situation on ground through a press statement. He of course, called for calm, encouraging citizens and foreigners to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation, while encouraging them remain law abiding.

"The Governor proceeded to engage heads of security agencies in the State to review the situation. A State broadcast and press release announcing a dust to dawn curfew in the State commercial, Aba was issued that same evening".
With people going about their normal businesses and beehive of economic activities going on in the State even while situation seemed tense, observers  say all that is needed in the state is respect of law and order and professional conduct on the part of security agencies, especially the military. This way, they posit, the so called Operation Python Dance 11 wont throw any part of the generally peaceful State or the South East into chaos and theatre of blood bath which Governor Ikpeazu has averted in record time.

"A time like this also calls for responsible reportage or broadcast of events or incidents as they unfold.Rumour mongering and propaganda would rather escalate the already tensed situation I advise everybody to follow official information channel, instead of relying on unreliable beer parlour gists or fake news filtering in from motor parks,"  Social Media Personality Chisom Josh cautioned in a chat with our reporters.

Meanwhile,the Igbo apex body,Oha na Eze Ndi Igbo has condemned the military invasion of the South East Region in the name of Operation Python Dance 11. In a strongly worded statement released by the President, 

Chief Nnia Nwodo,the group asked the Federal Goverment to stop the operation as it is a form of intimidation against the people.

But there have been divergent opinions on  the controversial military operation aimed at combating criminal activities including kidnapping,assassinations,armed robbery and violent agitations in South East region.

Similarly,the South East Caucus of the Senate of the Federal Republic led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has also criticised the military operation that would have commenced on September 15,2017.

Interestingly,neither the Nigerian Army nor the Indigenous People of Biafra ((IPOB) has given official account of Operation Python Dance and   bloody skirmishes with IPOB. The reaction of the Nigerian military,so far,was on the "issue" some of their men allegedly had with some members of Nigerian Union of Journalists in Umuahia the State capital during the operation. 

The Army however,promised to discipline officers found guilty of any unprofessional conduct.