Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Janet Agbede has said that two policemen were killed and 102 vehicles burnt in the state during a protest. Mrs. Agbede, who addressed journalists in Umuahia, said the command arrested 21 persons who were involved in arson, looting, and
killing in during the protests.
She disclosed that the protesters, who killed two policemen, beheaded and burnt one of them to ashes; as well as burnt a building housing a unit of the police at old Zone 6 Annex, Aba.
However, the Ukwa/Ngwa Ethnic Nationality of Abia State has called on the
protesters of t #EndSARS to pursue peace and stop the destruction of property in Aba and Umuahia.
The group, which embarked on a cleanup exercise and sensitization of
market associations in Aba described the destruction of the famous
Aba Town Hall as a desecration of the land. Addressing youths and the people of Aba, the coordinator of the cleanup exercise, Chief Uzo Ihuka, explained that the agitations had drawn the attention of the federal and state governments for negotiations before the shooting incident at Lekki toll gate, Lagos, brought about a twist of
events.
In his words; “We cannot but weep at the extent of wanton destruction
of our historical heritage, the Aba town hall which is over 100 years.
For instance, Aba town hall was where the famous Aba Women riot of
1929 kicked off. Private residences, financial institutions, and
businesses were not spared. This violence resulted in the loss of lives.
“We all should strive to leave a better Abia for our children as we
inherited from our fathers. It is the fundamental right of the youths to protest but that right must be exercised legally. And we must not allow any ethnic agitation that will bring about the wanton destruction of infrastructures like we have witnessed, to continue. Do not forget that the destruction of properties and businesses
can only create unemployment and backwardness. Development can only
come in time of peace.”
