soldier that allegedly perpetrated Aba riot
has been arrested
– He called on able-bodied youths to be
enlisted in the state vigilante group
– He urged people to remain clam as
normalcy has been restored
Following a riot that broke out in Ariaria and
Ogborhill Aba, Abia state between Hausa and
Igbo people, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has
ordered that 10 able-bodied youths from
each community to be enlisted into the
vigilante service to boost security.
The riot which occurred on Thursday, May 5
led to the death of three persons and it was
alleged that a soldier perpetrated the violent
act and he has been arrested.
News men reports that in a statement signed
by Godwin Adindu who is the chief press
secretary to the governor, Ikpeazu
condemned the act of the soldier and said
he would surely face the wrath of the law.
Destroyed shops in Aba.
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.
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.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state
“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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