Abia council begins demolition of shanties, criminal hideouts at Lokpanta Cattle Market

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

Authorities of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State have commenced the demolition of structures suspected to be serving as hideouts for criminals who have unleashed terror on the people of the local government as well as travelers.

Terrorists, bandits and Fulani herdsmen have laid siege to Umunneochi and Isuikwuato axis of the state and unleashed terror through kidnapping for ransom, killings, maiming, raping and other violent crimes on the locale and travelers alike who are abducted at various roads of the gateway local government, including the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

At the height of the heinous crimes and sundry activities of the herdsmen/Fulani kidnappers which culminated in the abduction of the Methodist Prelate, His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche, and two other priests who went with him to grace a religious event in Isuochi on May 29, 2022, a livid Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, initiated several security measures, which include the setting up a special security Committee, which it charged to demolish buildings found to be harbouring criminals terrorizing the local government and environs.

In fulfilment of the directive, Umunneochi local government on July 15, 2022, began the demolition of shanties at the Lokpanta Cattle Market said to be serving as rendezvous for the criminals.

The Council commenced the second phase of the demolition of “infamous structures” on Monday, July 18, 2022, as part of the efforts to uproot the kidnappers and other hoodlums at the Garki Cattle Market in Lokpanta.

Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Chief Ifeanyi Madu, told newsmen that the exercise was aimed at taking the war against kidnapping and other heinous crimes to the doorstep of the perpetrators.

According to Madu, the demolition exercise was being enforced by the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Janet Agbede, Commissioner for Homeland Security, Chief Supuruchi Beke, a former House of Assembly members, Hon. Ikedi Ezekwesiri, Eze Yaro DanLadi and Hausa community stakeholders.

He added that the exercise was in line with the directives of the State Governor, Dr. Okezie lkpeazu, who, he said, was committed to ensuring  that Umunneochi and its environs were safe from the activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Though he regretted the absence of some other stakeholders such as Ndieze, youth leaders and vigilantes during the second phase, he was optimistic that they would be available during the third phase.

The Umunneochi LG boss thanked Governor Ikpeazu, for providing the logistics for the exercise and urged all to remain resolute as the Governor’s promise of rooting out activities of kidnappers and other hoodlums in the local government was gradually being achieved.

Recall that in the wake of the abduction of the Methodist Prelate, youths of Umunneochi had risen in strong protest, demanding for the immediate relocation of the cattle market and dismantling of the numerous military checkpoints in the area, saying that they were not achieving the purpose of provision of security for which they were set up, but that military personnel manning them were providing cover for Fulani kidnappers.

Meanwhile, Abia State government has debunked rumours making the rounds that it has demolished Igbo quarters in the Garki, Lokpanta Cattle Market.

A statement by the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Hon. Sopuruchi Bekee, explained that what was being demolished were shanties and brothels where criminal elements hide and from where they launch their operations.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to videos circulating on social media purporting to be demolished “Igbo quarters” at Lokpanta Cattle Market and we wish to state the facts as follows:

“The demolished areas are shanties and brothels where criminal elements hide and from where they attack unsuspecting citizens.

“We recently arrested a kidnapper who is a member of the gang terrorizing travellers around the area.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the demolition was carried out by security agents and representatives of the government of Abia State based on verified information that criminals are using the place as launching pad to attack and kidnap citizens.

“Our ongoing security operations within that axis are aimed at rooting out criminal elements and no stone will be left unturned until our aim is achieved.

“We appreciate the support of citizens and residents of the area who are providing needed information and wish to assure that in no time, we will totally dominate the area to ensure security of lives and property.“