Kidnapping: Irate youths issue 7-day ultimatum for relocation of Lokpanta Cattle Market, want military checkpoint dismantled

*Block Expressway

Irate youths from Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on Wednesday, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the authorities concerned to relocate the Lokpanta Regional Cattle Market in the area, alleging that the market has become a hideout for criminals herdsmen whose stock in trade was kidnapping, killing, raping and other sundry violent crimes.

The youths in their hundreds, some of whom carried placards, also demanded the dismantling of military checkpoints in area, particularly the military checkpoint at Lomara Junction, alleging that soldiers there were providing cover for kidnappers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

They also called on the local government Chairman to be up and doing or quit his office, if he could not live up to his constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in the local government.

The youths who were dressed in black attire, took to the streets to protest the incessant kidnapping for ransom, killing of kidnap victims and sundry violent crimes by suspected Fulani herdsmen which have left the indigenes of the area living in perpetual fear.

The war-songs chanting protesters, who blocked the Leru junction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, also stormed the Nkwoagu Isuochi headquarters of the local government to present their three key demands to the Council Chairman.

The kidnapping of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche and two other clergymen in Isuochi last Sunday is believed to have triggered the protest.

The Prelate and the other two victims were only released after the N100 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers were paid.

Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: “Garki cattle market must go,” ”Army should open Ihube/Isuochi road,” “Enough is enough,” among others.

They warned that would no longer endure or tolerate continued harassment, torture and Kidnappings for ransom by herdsmen in the area, adding that if their demands were not met, they would be left with no other option that to take laws into their hands to protect their people from the criminal herders who have made life difficult in the area.

The protesters accused security agents, especially the Army, of not doing much to tame the murderous herdsmen on the prowl in the area.

The youths also demanded that the military checkpoint at Lomara junction be removed and that the barricade by the soldiers blocking the Ihube/Isuochi road should be cleared without delay so that motorists will be plying the route again; adding that the presence of the military checkpoint at the area has not checked kidnappings and other criminal activities of herdsmen. They were very angry that abductions were going on with impunity under the nose of the security agents in the area.

The youths explained that they were demanding for the relocation of the Lokpanta Cattle market because it was now allegedly serving as rendezvous for the criminal herdsmen.

Responding, Chief of Staff to the Council Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Azubuike, who said the  Council Chairman was not on seat as he had gone to Umuahia for a security meeting with the State Governor, Dr. Okezoe Ikpeazu, thanked the youths for their peaceful disposition, promising to convey their demands to the Chairman.

Azubuike expressed great concern over the atrocities of herdsmen in the area and the inactivity of security agencies in the area.

He was bitter that efforts by the Council to open up the Ihube/Isuochi road was being frustrated by the soldiers at the Lomara military checkpoint, as the soldiers were insisting that the Council must first complete a perimeter fencing of their post there.

He explained that the Council has done over 80 per cent of the perimeter fencing but lamented that the soldiers have continued to frustrate efforts to complete the project.

The Chief of Staff said that the Council was already overwhelmed by the security challenges in the area, and appealed to both the state and federal governments to come to their rescue.

Spokesman, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Lt Omale, when contacted for comments, said he was in a conference.