Gov. Ikpeazu Meets Leaders Of Hausa Community In Aba, Assures Of Protection | DETAILS

The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has assured members of Hausa community resident in Aba and the entire state of his unwavering support.

Ikpeazu gave this assurance while receiving leaders of the Hausa community together with Hausa Leaders from Gombe and Adamawa states, at the governor’s lodge in Aba in respect to the recent attack on the newly relocated Omuma Uzor Cattle Market/ Abattoir in Ukwa West LGA. READ HERE
Addressing the leaders, Governor Ikpeazu described the tragic incident as unfortunate and condemnable. He commiserated with especially the families of those who died in the attack.

Ikpeazu said that his administration takes issues of peace and harmony very seriously because there cannot be any form of sustainable development in an insecure environment. He said that this was the philosophy behind the decision of his administration to devise a means to resolve conflicts between the herdsmen and farmers in the State by setting up a Conflict Resolution Committee where the State Government undertakes to pay some compensation to either the farmer or the herdsmen who loses his crops or cows, after a proper assessment of the circumstances of the situation.

He noted also that he recognizes the need for peaceful co-existence between Abians and those who have come to transact legitimate business in the State, disclosing that the security chiefs in the state are working tirelessly to fish out the perpetrators of the attack and assured that they will not go unpunished. He also assured that every necessary step will be taken to avert future occurrences of such dastardly act.

He added that the State Government will provide some form of support for the families of those who lost their lives during the attack and take care of the medical bills of the injured as well as assisting those whose cows and goats were killed to enable them carry on with their businesses. He noted that the attack affected not just Hausas but Igbos also, noting that the impression that only Hausas were in the business of selling cows was wrong.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman Hausa Cattle Market, Alhaji Ibrahim Njidda recalled the cordial relationship Governor Ikpeazu shares with them in the state and regretted the ugly incident that claimed human lives and livestock resulting to huge financial losses.

He appealed to the Governor to assist them and also consider getting them an alternative location for their trade and the provision of adequate security for them.

Also speaking, the Patron of the Aba Hausa Community, Alhaji Musa Iheakaram thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his quick intervention through his Chief of Staff, Prof.-ACB Agbazuere and other key government officials while he was away and for his personal visit to the place. He also restated their appeal for an alternative location for their business.

Also, the Executive Chairman Ukwa West LGA, Chief Okey Kanu said that the Hausa Community enjoyed good relationship with their host Community within that short period before the incident and request that security be fortified in the area.