An Igbo group identified as Alaigbo Human Rights Network (AHURIN) has threatened to embark on legal action against the leadership of Lokpanta Cattle Market, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, over the alleged discovery of 70 decomposing bodies and several numbers of headless bodies.
The essence is to expose evil, curtail crime and insecurity, and preserve the sanctity of life in Abia communities.
This was disclosed by AHURIN through its National President, Sir Justin Onyenso, in a statement signed and made available to the media on Wednesday in Owerri.
The group said over the years, Lokpanta Cattle Market was a hub where illicit, dangerous and unwholesome activities took place until the 70 decomposing bodies and several numbers of headless bodies were discovered by the Abia State Government, which it said made the revelation to the public.
He said: “The attention of Alaigbo Human Rights Network has been drawn towards the damning revelation by the Abia State Government on the discovery of over 70 decomposing bodies and several numbers of headless bodies within the vicinity of the Lokpanta Cattle Market, Umunneoche LGA of the state”.
He said that the Abia State Government has described the Cattle Market as a notorious hub for illicit and unwholesome activities.
The President enumerated some of the illicit activities perpetrated at the Cattle Market, including prostitution, drug racket, kidnapping for ransom, abductions, child trafficking.
AHURIN regretted that instead of the leadership of the market to address the issue of discoveries of the 70 decomposing bodies and many headless bodies, they deviated and accused the Abia State Government of ‘giving a dog name to kill it.’
He regretted that the market leadership has resorted to blackmailing the State Government by plotting to forcefully ejecting them from their land occupation since 2005.
He said: “It is on this premise of denial and unwarranted blackmail against the Abia State Government in particular and Ndi-Igbo in general that AHURIN is contemplating on legal redress against the wickedness and evil activities of the occupiers of the Cattle Market”.
Onyenso noted that this decision is sequel to a resolution taken after an extraordinary meeting of AHURIN held in Aba, on 14th day of November, 2023″.
Among other resolutions taken over the Lokpanta Cattle Market saga, according to him, include a request for the Abia State Government led by Governor Alex Chioma Otti to embark on the probability of ascertaining the identity of the decomposing bodies.
According to him, the State Government should implement without delay or reservations, the Conversion of the Market to a Daily Market and also install a crack security outfit to monitor and control daily activities in and around the Market.
“The State Government must compel the Umunneochi LGA to, as a matter of expediency, fish out the locals who operate in cahoot with the Northern sojourners at Lokpanta to perpetrate the heinous crimes bedeviling the Cattle Market axis and its environs.
“That the Northern Community must come clear of the revelations by the State Government to exonerate themselves of the discoveries and tender an unreserved apology to the Abia State Government over the unwanted accusation and blackmail”.
The President warned that failure to adhere to the resolutions, Alaigbo Human Rights Network will determinedly seek redress in the law court for the dead and those traumatized by the ugly incident discovered within and around the Cattle Market.
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