Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti , has honoured a Nigerian Army Staff Sergeant, Amoke Simeon, for his role in ending the reign of terror by notorious kidnapping kingpin, Osisikankwu, and restoring security in the state.
At a meeting held on Thursday in Umuahia, the governor announced that the state would sponsor the soldier’s medical treatment abroad, following injuries he sustained while on active duty after his deployment from Abia.
Simeon, who served in the state between 2010 and 2014, was part of the military team that tracked and dismantled the criminal network led by Osisikankwu, whose activities once forced residents to flee and crippled economic activities.
Speaking after the meeting, the soldier disclosed that he suffered a serious leg injury from a road accident while serving in the North-East, adding that previous medical interventions had not fully addressed the condition.
He expressed appreciation to the governor for the intervention, describing the gesture as a morale booster for security personnel.
“I’m grateful that my efforts are being remembered. This kind of support encourages us to remain dedicated and serve with integrity,” he said.
Simeon also revealed that during the anti-kidnapping operations, he was offered a ₦50 million bribe by the gang leader to compromise the mission, but he declined.
“They asked me to name my price, but I refused. Today, I’m proud I made that decision,” he added.
The state government noted that the gesture reflects its commitment to recognising individuals who played key roles in restoring peace and security in Abia during difficult periods.