ABIA: How We Discovered Over 50 Dead Bodies Around Lokpanta Cattle Market -Gov Otti Makes Sh0cking Revelations
The Executive governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has revealed that 20 head-less corpses, 50 decomposing bodies, and uncountable skeletons, comprising of adult and children were discovered by security operatives during a raid of forests around Lokpanta cattle market in Umunneochi LGA of the state.
The governor made this revelation on Sunday, during the second edition of his media interaction.
According to the governor, the raid was carried out following credible intelligence that ransom paid for kidnapping were dropped around the market axis.
“few weeks ago, we found out that a lot of the ransom paid ended up somewhere around Umunneochi and we decided to dominate the place and in less than 48 hours, we recovered over 50 de-ad bodies around the cattle market in Umunneohi. We recovered over twenty decomposing head-less , fresh bodies, comprising of men, women and children. we recovered uncountable skeletons; we also realized that gun running, prostitution, narcotics trade and other criminal activities are happening around the cattle market” Otti revealed.
He noted that though they are yet to ascertain those involved in the criminal activities, the government thought it wise to first secure the market and has commenced fencing of the market.
“we brought down several brothels and we felt that that market just like every other market should be a day market. It opens by 6am and closes by 6pm. We have started fencing the market round though it is expensive to do it.
“Those who live inside the market will now live among other people in the state outside the market”.
The governor added that there are plans to turn the Lokpanta cattle market to a general market where other goods would be sold.
He restated that no northerner was asked to leave the market, rather, the government is taking measures to secure the market, traders and host community members.
“We have taken a stand to provide adequate security to Abia citizens and visitors because 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.
“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, but after our interactions with leaders of the Northern community, we told them that anyone who is not in support of the moves we are making to secure the state must be a criminal, they saw reasons with us and quickly reversed the quit notice they issued to Igbos in the North” he added.