Over 15 decaying bodies were found near the Lokpanta Cattle Market along the Umunneochi section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
According to the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, about 20 human skeletons and bodies in the process of decay were discovered around the Lokpanta Cattle Market.
This was revealed during the governor’s second round of his monthly chat. He explained that the market was linked to the random paid to kidnappers
He promised that with his administration, there will be no hiding place for criminals and the people’s lives will be protected including the visitors in the state.
He said, “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.
“When we decided to occupy the Lokpanta cattle market in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state, we discovered 50 dead bodies, 20 headless dead bodies, men, women and children and uncountable skeletons. We also discovered that ransoms paid to kidnappers were usually dropped close to the market.
“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.
“That’s why we have decided to make the market a daily market, people can go to the market and do their business and go home at the end of the day. The market will not be only a cattle market again, but it will have other sections for other goods like every other market.
“Those who live inside the market will now live among other people in the state outside the market”
While addressing the state members, he explained that the market will not be solely for cattle sellers again, rather it will include all other types of businesses. Also, he reaffirms that there is no issue between the Northern leaders and the state, since all misunderstandings have been cleared and the priority remains security for all human lives including the Northerners in the land and the indigenous people of the land.
