The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otri has revealed that security operatives in the state have discovered 50 decomposing bodies, over 20 skulls and countless human skeletons around the Cattle Market in Lokpanta Cattle Market, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
Governor Otti made the disclosure at Government House, Umuahia during his monthly media chat tagged “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians.”
He assured that his government was committed to tackling the issues of insecurity headlong without minding whose ox is gored.
The Governo insisted that in order to tackle the criminality going on in and around the area, the Lokpanta market would become a daily market that would open at 6am and closes at 6pm.
He added that the market would now become a general market as sections will be alloted to the cattle dealers and other businesses too.
He informed that his administration was equally fencing the market at a huge cost to government all in an effort to ensure adequate security.
Otti stated that the Lokpanta area was notorious for kidnapping and armed robbery, hence the decision of his administration to make the market a daily one, adding that the decision was taken after a meeting with the leadership of the market.
The Governor further disclosed that apart from kidnapping and armed robbery going on in the market, prostitution, narcotics trade and other criminal vices were high around the Lokpanta Cattle Market.
Otti said since after the raid of the market which necessitated the bringing down of some brothels inside the market, there was now calmness in Umunneochi.
“We are single minded about rooting out insecurity in Abia State. Because we know that no government can succede in the face of insecurity, violence, armed and kidnapping.”
The Governor promised that gadgets would be deployed at strategic points in the market to ensure the security of lives and property in the State, adding that his administration was poised to ensure Abians enjoy a great Christmas this year.
Responding to a question, Otti informed that his administration was deploying a different approach and working to secure the release of the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, adding that such approach was not for public consumption.
“But 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 its 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 who expressed optimism that his own approach would yield the needed result, said it was only then the public would be informed about it.
Otti disclosed that he has awarded contract for the reconstruction of the Ohafia-Abam–Okobo-Arochukwu road.
He added that work would soon start on the Nunya road in Isuikwuato LGA while informing that the Federal government would soon commence work on the Ohafia-Ututu-Ihechiowa-Amuvi.
He thanked Abia people and residents for their massive support to his administration and promised not to fail them.
