Dr Okezie Ikpeazu,the governor of Abia State, has
condemned yesterday's killing of a butcher
allegedly by a soldier, in the Aba area of the
state.
In a statement by his Chief Press
Secretary, Godwin Adindu, the Governor said
the soldier who allegedly perpetrated the act has
been arrested and taken into custody, noting that
he (soldier) will surely face the full weight of the
law.
The statement read: "Our dear brothers and
sisters, it is with heavy hearts that the state
government received reports of the unfortunate
incident at Aba abattoir today (Thursday). Initial
information made available to us indicate that
the violence was sparked off by a soldier who
killed a meat-seller at the popular waterside
abattoir located at the Ogbohill area of Aba.
"We condemn the dastardly act that led to the
untimely death of our brother, father and bread
winner of his family. Our hearts and prayers are
with his family and friends in this moment of
pains and loss, even as we also commiserate
with the traders at the market and others who
were affected by the ensuing crisis.
"The soldier who allegedly perpetrated this act
has been arrested and taken into custody. He
will surely face the full weight of the law.
"We call on the good people of Abia, especially
those of us living and doing business at Aba, to
remain claim. We reassure all citizens and
residents of the state that the government is
doing everything to protect lives and property of
citizens as well as prevent further disruption of
peace.
"The Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has instructed
the recently re-equipped security agencies in the
state to ensure watertight security around our
borders and towns against any form of attack.
"He has also directed the men of the Abia State
Vigilante Services (AVS) 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 have been
directed to submit names of 10 able-bodied
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) to further boost community policing in the
state.
"Law enforcement agencies have been mandated
to search and monitor all trucks and vehicles
conveying livestocks, food items and persons
into the state from any part of the country with a
view to preventing inter-state movement of arms
and terrorists. The law enforcement agencies will
also search and monitor markets and
settlements where livestocks and dealers are
located, to ensure security.
"The Governor of Abia State has approved the
constitution of a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict
Resolution Committee. The Commissioner of
Police will head the committee at the state level.
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 cattle
dealers representative and Sarikin Hausawa.
"The State Governor has also directed the
constitution of Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict
Resolution Committees 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.
"We wish to encourage our people to be vigilant
and report any suspicious movement or activities
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 dealing
with security alerts."
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