Fortify Security Around Lokpanta Axis, CLO Tells Gov Otti

By Chuks Eke

Following the discovery of 80 decomposing corpses and 20 headless bodies inside the forest near the cattle market at Lokpanta in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State branch has urged the Abia government to beef up security along the Lokpanta axis to reduce the escalating violent crimes, kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching, and killings.

CLO further urged the state government to pursue the perpetrators of these heinous acts and prosecute them by the law, to prevent further deterioration of human dignity, sacredness, and sanctity of human individuals.

CLO, however, commended Abia State Governor, Chief Alex Otti, for improving security architecture in Abia state through his strategic marshal plan, which led to the discovery of such a large number of decomposing and headless bodies at Umuezechi Lokpanta cattle market, in a press statement issued yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra state and signed by its state Chairman, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme.

“We thank him for having the political will, patriotism, and courage to unravel such barbaric, insensate and inhuman atrocities, killings and impunities taking place in cattle market for years with the previous government doing nothing to rescue the situation, restore security and normalcy”.

According to the CLO, “We learned from Suzena Callings that anyone who kills an innocent person will lose everything he or she has, hence perpetrators should not be allowed to go scot-free”.

“Abia state government and security personnel should constitute Committees to carry out discreet and in-depth investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings, the perpetrators and identities of those killed and reasons behind the killings”.

“Government should as a matter of urgency, ensure arrest, detention and prosecution of perpetrators and their sponsors to act as a deterrent to others.

We extol the wise and unique decision of the governor to convert the market into non residential daily market”, the statement added.

“There is no doubt in our minds that it will in no small measures help to restore security, business activities, peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, mutual trust and it will enhance citizens’ confidence and hope in government”.

“The most important function of every government is for protection of lives and properties of her citizens which Governor Alex Otti has already taken bold, patriotic and courageous steps to actualise. What is now left is for the government to fortify security and improve on the existing one”.