Ikpeazu pledges support for victims of cattle market attack

Abia State Government has promised to support families of traders, who were killed during last week’s attack on the new Omuma-Uzo Cattle Market.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu made the pledge, yesterday when leaders of the Hausa Community in the state visited him in Aba with their Gombe and Adamawa counterparts.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememankah, quoted Ikpeazu as saying: “The state government will provide some support for families of those who lost their lives during the attack and take care of the medical bills of the injured.

“The state government will also assist those whose livestock were killed to enable them to continue with their businesses.”

Describing the incident as “unfortunate and condemnable,” he commiserated with the families of the victims and restated his administration’s commitment to the security and welfare of all residents, irrespective of tribe or religion.

The governor said his administration accorded great priority to issues of peace and harmony, which informed his decision to set up a Conflict Resolution Committee to resolve conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

Ikpeazu said the same peace initiative necessitated the government’s resolve to compensate the farmers or herdsmen who lost crops or cows, after the assessment.

He said that he recognised the need for peaceful co-existence between indigenes and businessmen from other states, who are doing legitimate businesses in the state.

“Security agencies are working tirelessly to arrest the perpetrators of the incident, and they will not go unpunished. Every necessary step will be taken to avert future occurrence of such dastardly acts,” he said.

Responding, Chairman of the Hausa Cattle Market, Alhaji Ibrahim Njidda, who briefed the governor on the incident, recalled the cordial relationship between Ikpeazu and the traders.

He appealed to the governor to assist the victims and relocate the market to a better secure location.

Chairman of Ukwa West Council, Okey Kanu, who said the Hausa Community had been enjoying good relations with the host community, requested that security should be beefed up in the area.