By Oluwatosin Maliki
The Abia State Government has announced the discovery of over 50 decomposing bodies, while over 20 headless bodies and countless human skeletons were found around Lokpanta Cattle Market in the Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, he disclosed this during his monthly media discussion with newsmen which was held in Government House, Umuahia, on Monday.
He assured the people of the state that his government will remain committed in tackling the issues of insecurity headlong without minding whose ox is gored.
Also, Governor Otti addressed the issues of prostitution, narcotics trade and other criminal vices around the Lokpanta Cattle Market which necessitated the raid of the market as some brothels were recently brought down in Umunneochi.
Meanwhile, the governor announced that the Lokpanta market henceforth, would become a daily market that would only open at 6am and close at 6pm.
Furthermore, he explained that the market would start operating like a general market as sections have been allotted to the cattle dealers and other businesses too.
Additionally, he promised that his administration would see to the fencing of the market in order to provide adequate security.
He pointed out that the Lokpanta area was notorious for its criminal activities such as; kidnapping and armed robbery, hence the decision of his administration to make the market a daily one.
Otti noted that the new policy was earlier misunderstood but after an in-depth discussion with the leadership of the market, everyone agreed with the government’s stand on making the market a daily one for the good of all.
He stated, “We are single-minded about rooting out insecurity in Abia State because we know that no government can succeed in the face of insecurity, violence, armed and kidnapping.”
The governor expressed that his administration would go a step further in securing the market environs with gadgets at strategic places to ensure the security of lives and property in the state, adding that his administration is poised to ensure Abians enjoy a great Christmas this year, saying, “This government will not get involved in supporting insecurity. Our devices will be installed in strategic places.”
The governor was asked by newsmen, if his administration had plans to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu. The Governor responded that
his administration is taking a different approach to secure the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Though, he noted that such approach is not for public consumption.
He said, “I believe in result rather than media hype. We do not want the media noise. We are working very hard to ensure his release and the truth of the matter is that it’s not the present government that incarcerated Nnamdi Kanu. My personal position is that the new government does not need to inherit wrong thing of the previous administration.
The governor expressed his optimism that his (undisclosed) approach would yield the needed result, adding that it is only when the result has been achieved that the public would be informed about it.