By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Tension heightened in Abia State as no fewer than 50 decomposing and 20 headless bodies were discovered around Lokpanta Regional Cattle Market in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
The state Governor, Mr Alex Otti, who disclosed this when he spoke with newsmen late Sunday in Umuahia, the state capital, vowed that there was no going back on the decision of the state government to eject all residents from the market.
He said the vicinity of the market had become a den of criminals.
“We have installed electronic equipment that tells us what is happening in every part of the state,” he said.
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He continued, “A few weeks ago, we found that a lot of ransom that was paid for kidnapping ended up somewhere around Umunneochi, and we decided to raid the place.
“During the raid, we made shocking discoveries. In less than 48 hours, we recovered over 50 dead bodies around the cattle market in Umunneochi. We recovered over 20 decomposing headless bodies: men, women, and children.
“We recovered so many skeletons of people killed. We also discovered that gunrunning, prostitution, and so many things were happening in the market. So, we realised that the first thing to be done is to secure the market. We went in and brought down many brothels.”
“And we felt that the market, just like any other market, should be a day market, which starts in the morning and closes in the evening.”
Otti said part of the measures to boost security in the area was to convert the market to a general-purpose one and fence it.
“We also feel that those people hibernating in the market should go and live in the communities. We want to have a peaceful Christmas around Umunneochi and other parts of the state. Anybody not supporting this move must be a criminal. And there is no place for criminals anymore in Abia,” he added.
*Scores killed as troops raid forests, arrest gunrunner, recover weapons in Anambra
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) “Operation Udo Ka II’ in the Southeast have arrested a notorious gunrunner and recovered several locally made bombs during a raid of identified hideouts of terrorist groups in Anambra State.
Some of the hoodlums were also arrested and deadly weapons were recovered as security operatives advanced their bombardment, clearance of the forests, and other hideouts of gunmen in Orsumoghu community in Ihiala local government area of the state.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt Col Jonah Unuakhalu; in a statement yesterday, disclosed that the latest clearance operation by “Operation Udo Ka II” badgered in the terrorists’ hideouts at Orsumoghu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He revealed that some of the terrorists, who came to fight the troops were gunned down, while some incriminating items, including military boots and belts, mobile phones, binoculars, leather hand gloves, and police head warmer, among others, were recovered during the operation.
“The troops were able to dislodge the group; neutralised two of them, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered from the camps included a pair of military boots, one military belt, five mobile phones, one binocular, leather hand gloves, and a police head warmer.
“Others were one locally made handheld IED and four locally made IED launchers (Ogbunigwe),” the statement stated.
According to Unuakhalu, troops of Sector 2 of “Operation Udo Ka II’’ arrested a suspected gunrunner last Thursday while on a search-and-rescue operation at Effium in the Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State, adding that the suspected gunrunner, Francis Nwekire, 63, was arrested in his house with 48 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.
“Additionally, a suspected Effium Militia in Ebonyi was arrested and he led troops to their hideout. Items recovered from the hideout were one AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, and one AK-47 magazine. Both suspects are presently in troops’ custody for further interrogations,” he said.
