Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, reports the discovery of 50 decomposing bodies, including 20 headless corpses, and numerous skeletons found by security forces in a forest near the Lokpanta Cattle Market along the Umunneochi axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Governor Otti revealed this alarming find during his second monthly media chat in Umuahia, the state capital. He further mentioned the market’s association with kidnappers using it as a ransom collection point.
He affirmed his administration’s firm commitment to ensuring every part of the state remains free from criminal activities, prioritizing the safety and security of residents and visitors.
He insisted that the resolve of the state to make the cattle market a daily market was not targeted at any particular tribe in the country, rather it was aimed at revamping the security architecture of the market and its host community.
He said, “We have taken a stand to provide adequate security to Abia citizens and visitors because we know that no government can succeed in the face of insecurity. This government will not get involved in supporting criminals or allow them to occupy any part of the state.
“When we decided to occupy the Lokpanta Cattle Market in the Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state, we discovered 50 dead bodies, 20 headless dead bodies, men, women and children and uncountable skeletons. We also discovered that ransoms paid to kidnappers were usually dropped close to the market.
“But it was unfortunate that some people misinterpreted our action to mean that we asked the northerners trading in the market to leave the state. After our interactions with leaders of the northern community, we told them that anyone who was not in support of the moves we were making to secure the state must be a criminal. They saw reasons with us and quickly reversed the quit notice they issued to Igbo in the North.
“That’s why we have decided to make the market a daily market, people can go to the market and do their business and go home at the end of the day. The market will not be only a cattle market again, but it will have other sections for other goods like every other market.
“Those who live inside the market will now live among other people in the state outside the market.”
Meanwhile, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, appealed to the northern leadership in the cattle market to “cooperate with Governor Otti to fish out the criminal elements that dent the image of the genuine traders amongst them.”
Speaking with one of our correspondents, Ohanaeze National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, dismissed the report that Otti had displaced northerners from the Umunneochi Cattle Market.
“Ohanaeze recognises the age-long trading relationship between the North and the Igbo and urges all and sundry to take advantage of Governor Otti’s security initiatives for the interest of all,” he said.