Heavy Protests Rock Abia State As Youths Protest Incessant Kidnappings By Suspected Herdsmen, Demand Relocation Of Cattle Market

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Heavy Protests Rock Abia State As Youths Protest Incessant Kidnappings By Suspected Herdsmen, Demand Relocation Of Cattle Market

Youths in Isuochi communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State trouped out enmasse on Wednesday, to protest against incessant kidnappings by suspected herdsmen.

The irate youths stormed the Umunneochi Council headquarters at Nkwoagu Isuochi where they conveyed their grievances to the Local Government authorities.

The protest came less than 24 hours after the abducted Methodist Prelate, Bishop Samuel Uche, was released on Sunday afternoon, after N100 million ransom was paid.

The protesting youths accused security agencies of doing nothing to stop the perpetrators suspected to be herdsmen, alleging that they just stand on the road, extorting money from motorists while criminals operate unchallenged.

The youths who were dressed in black, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Enough is enough,” “Garki cattle market must go,” “Army should open Ihube/Isuochi Road,” among others.

They also chanted war songs and decried the activities and atrocities of herdsmen in the area.

While speaking at the Council headquarters, their spokesperson, Comrade Divine Uche, said they would no longer tolerate continued harassment, torture, and Kidnappings by herdsmen in the area.

They also accused security agents especially the Army of shielding the perpetrators instead of going after them, and demanded immediate relocation of Lokpanta regional cattle market where they alleged, provides cover for the criminals.

The youths further demanded that the military checkpoint at Lomara junction be removed and the barricade by the soldiers blocking the Ihube/Isuochi road cleared without delay so that motorists will be plying the route again.

The protesting youths alleged that the presence of the military checkpoint at the area is rather providing cover for kidnappers, hence the call for its relocation.

The youths vowed that if after seven days their demands were not met, they might be forced to take actions they deem fit, to protect their people against those criminal herders.

Another speaker, Mrs Chetachi Obi-Nwoke, said that the locals now live in fear of herdsmen who have been terrorising the people.

She challenged security agencies to rise to the security challenges in area to avoid angry youths taking laws into their hands.

Responding, Chief of Staff to the Local Government Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Azubuike, said the chairman was unavailably absent as had gone to attend security meeting with the Governor.

He commended the youths for peaceful conduct and promised to convey their message to the Chairman.

He noted with concern, the atrocities of herdsmen in the area and the docility of security agencies.

The Council Chairman Chief of Staff regretted that the efforts of the Council to open up the Ihube/Isuochi Road was being frustrated by the soldiers at Lomara military checkpoint who insist that the Council must first complete a perimeter fencing of their post there.

According to him the Council has done over 80% of the work but regretted that the soldiers have continued to frustrate efforts to complete the project.

He alleged that cement bought by the Council for the work was even destroyed by rain due to the unfriendly attitude of the soldiers.

The Chief of Staff said that the Council was already overwhelmed by the security challenges in the area and appealed to both the State and Federal Government to come to their rescue.

Efforts to extract reaction from the Army did not succeed as the Army Spokesman at the 14 Brigade Ohafia, Lt. I.  Omale, said he was in a conference when contacted, and was yet to reach the reporters as at the time of filing this report.

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