Abia cattle market attack: Ikpeazu absolves community, beefs up security

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that security would be beefed up at the Omuma Uzo cattle Market/Abattoir in Ukwa West local government area of the state where hoodlums killed eight persons during a midnight attack last Tuesday.

Ikpeazu gave assurance at the market when he visited the area for an on-the-spot assessment following the attack, saying that the market would not be relocated because of the ugly incident.

However, the Governor said that a military base and other security units would be cited in the area to beef up security while the perimeter fencing around the market and abattoir.

He disclosed that deep investigations were ongoing to fish out those who carried out the attack on traders at the new Cattle Market/Abbatoir, adding that the State Government has the capacity to protect the lives and property of people and residents of the State.

Ikpeazu, however, said that preliminary investigations showed that the dastardly act was not carried out by the youths of the immediate community, as investigations revealed that the youths were the ones that assisted the victims after the attack.

“The investigation will be deep and all those involved will be identified and dealt with according to the laws of the land,” the Governor promised.

He vowed that government would not go back on its decision of locating the new cattle and abattoir market at Omuma Uzo but would rather fortify security there.

The Governor lamented that the society still bear “blood-thirsty  people who can kill mindlessly,” and sympathized with the victims and assured that government would continue to find a way to provide succour to those who lost their property to enable them continue with their business.

Ikpeazu who was accompanied on the visit by the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Godwin Adiele, Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA Chairman, Hon. Okey Kanu, Honorable Commissioner for Homeland Security, Hon. Sopuruchi Bekee, his Ministry of Petroleum counterpart, Chief Eze Nwanganga, amongst other dignitaries, scheduled a stakeholders meeting to further discuss the issue this weekend.

Meanwhile, a civil rights group has called the Abia State government to do its best to ensure the satety and wellbeing of traders at the new Cattle/Abattoir Market at Omuma Uzo.

The traders were relocated from the Aba Waterside Abattoir and Cattle Market where a loaded trailer crashed into earlier this month and killed several persons and injured many others. It was in a bid to ensure their safety that government ordered their immediate relocation to the new cattle market at Omuma Uzo where another unfortunate attack and killings befell them.

In a statement endorsed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, and Head, Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Enforcement, Barr. Akande Femisi, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), which condemned the attack, urged government to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those who perpetrated the dastardly act.

The statement issued on Friday, February 18, 2022 in Umuahia and entitled “Not Again!, FENRAD Condemns Killings at Omumauzo,” read inn part:

“Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group, condemns in its entirety the sad killing of eight persons at Omumauzo in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. The attack, FENRAD learns, was perpetrated by “unknown hoodlum [sic]”, as the state government release stated.

“This is condemnable in all its sense as any killing capable of inciting violence would never serve Abia State and its good people a win-win outcome. Having stated this, FENRAD wishes to express its support to the state government, especially in rounding up and prosecuting those behind this ugly killings.

“Abia is, as the title goes, God’s Own State, one that seeks to enthrone peace and peaceful coexistence.

“In a previous release, FENRAD called on the state government to ensure that butchers and cattle sellers are given the best in terms of relocation or new market site. That same truth stares Abia in the face now.

FENRAD is aware that sequel to this wicked act, the state government set up a high-powered committee comprising Commissioners of Police, Trade and Investment, and that of Homeland Security together with Chief of Staff to the Governor and Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA. While wishing the Committee good speed, FENRAD demands the best from it still; nothing can be better.

“FENRAD calls on the state government to do the needful by ensuring that the wounded and all those victims receive proper medical attention. Finally, FENRAD wishes to identify with all those mourning, who have lost their loved ones as a result of this attack, that they are not alone in a time like this. Our hearts go out to them. May we never see this level of barbarism again in our state. Never again!”