What would have been a major ethnic clash was averted on Thursday in Aba, Abia State following protests over the alleged killings of two Igbo butchers at the Waterside abattoir by soldiers.
However, the State Government said only one person was killed.
Vanguard gathered that penultimate week, an unnamed soldier in mufti reportedly went to the abattoir to smoke Indian hemp, after which he refused to pay, claiming he was a soldier.
The situation led to a fracas with some boys in the area who insisted he must pay, without knowing that the man was a soldier.
The said soldier reportedly came to the abattoir on Thursday with four of his colleagues in a Hilux patrol van and started shooting indiscriminately.
There was commotion in the area as butchers and those who came to buy meat scampered to safety and when the shooting died down, a pig rearer, identified as Ojukwu, was found dead.
It was gathered that when some of the butchers, who saw what happened, sought to know from the soldiers what led to their action, the trigger happy soldiers shot and killed another butcher.
The soldiers reportedly beat four others to pulp and forced them into their van and drove off to an unknown destination.
Their action angered the butchers as they were joined by other people in a protest that spread to all parts of the city.
Attempt by the protesters to dump one the dead bodies they took round the town in a wheel barrow at one of the military posts in the city was aborted by soldiers in full battle gear at the Ogbor Hill waterside bridge.
The protest, which began at about 12noon, later took an ethnic colouration as the protesters marched towards the Mosque and the Hausa settlement on Hospital Road, but were quickly dispersed by soldiers who kept watch over the places.
As at the time of filing this report, some Hausas in the city had to take refuge at the Aba Police Area command.
When contacted, the Commanding Officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General Lawrence Fejokwu, said investigations are ongoing to unravel the cause of the incident.
The State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, in a statement he personally signed, said: “My dear brothers and sisters, I have been informed of the very unfortunate incident that happened in Aba, the commercial town of our dear state today, where a solider killed a meat-seller at the popular abattoir located at the Ogbohill area of Aba. I condemn the act that led to the untimely death of this brother. I associate myself with his family in this moment of pains and loss, even as I commiserate with traders in the market. The solider who perpetrated this act has been arrested and taken into custody.
“I call on the people of Abia, especially those of us in Aba, to remain claim. I reassure all citizens of the state that the government is doing everything to protect lives and property of citizens from any attack.
“I have instructed and equipped security agencies in the state to ensure watertight security around our boarders and towns against any form of attack.
“I have directed that the men of the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS), popularly known as Bakassi, to commence, with immediate effect, a two week intensive training, for onward deployment to our communities to assist in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police.
“All Traditional Rulers in the state are required to submit names of 10 youths from their community to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th May 2016. These youths will be enlisted into the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS).
“I have mandated the law enforcement agencies to search and screen all trucks and vehicles conveying livestocks, food items and persons into the state from any part of the country. The law enforcement agencies will also search and screen markets and settlements where livestocks and dealers are, to ensure security.
“The Government of Abia State has constituted a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee. The Commissioner of Police will head the committee. Other members of the committee are: The Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State Commandant of the NSCDC, the Naval Commander, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Myati Allah and Saraki Hausa.
“The State Government has also constituted Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state. The Local Government chairmen will head the committees in their LGAs. Other members of the committees include; Divisional Police Officers in the LGAs, Local Government NSCDC heads, the DSS Local Government Chiefs, LGA Chairmen of Traditional Rulers Council and LGA Heads of Hausa communities.
“I want to encourage our people to report any suspicious movement of strange persons within our communities to the Traditional Rulers or call any of the following Police Emergency Control phone numbers: 08079210003, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08035425405 for prompt deployment of a Rapid Response Unit formed for the purpose of security alert.”
Vanguard.
Trending
- Alleged defilement of girlfriend: 23-year-old student freed after two years
- We’re not aware of any BoT in Labour Party — NEC
- Anambra police station attacked, set ablaze
- National Convention: We gave INEC over 100 days notice – LP
- Naira falls against dollar by 0.7%
- Delta Killings: Traditional ruler declared wanted surrenders self
- 3rd Mainland Bridge: Minister gives date for full reopening
- Eve’s Desire: Challenges of a loveless marriage, by Tiwa Says