Oguntoye Sodiq
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, revealed that security operatives uncovered 50 decomposing corpses, including 20 headless remains, along with numerous skeletons near the Lokpanta Cattle Market on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The Governor disclosed this on Sunday during the second edition of his mostly media chat in Umuahia, the state capital.
According to him, the market was being used as a ransom collection point by kidnappers.
He emphasized that his administration’s priority is to safeguard the lives and property of both residents and visitors in the state.
He asserted that no part of the state’s land mass would be left in the hands of criminals.
The decision to transform the cattle market into a daily market, according to Otti, was aimed at enhancing the security measures in place for the market and its surrounding community.
He clarified that this move was not directed at any particular tribe, but rather an effort to bolster overall security.
His words: “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.
“Meanwhile, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, called upon the northern leadership within the cattle market to collaborate with Governor Otti in identifying and removing criminal elements tarnishing the reputation of genuine traders.”