Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia
The leadershop of Northern community cattle dealers in Umuchieze, Umunneochi council area of Abia State have expressed their worries over allegation of harbouring killer herdsmen and other bandits in the state.
This was said by the spokesman of the community at Umuchieze cattle market, Buba Abdullahi Kedermure during a press conference, where he denied harbouring bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and herdsmen in the cattle market.
Kedermure described the allegation as a calculated attempt by some disgruntled elements within and outside the cattle market to incite the host communities and the government against their community.
He noted that the community had earlier petitioned the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of Security Service over armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists and drug peddlers taking over the community.
Kedermure said, “While we admit that there is exodus of northerners, herdsmen inclusive from the south to the north in recent times, the fact that some of them do come here to board vehicles to the north with their families, it does not mean that we harbor or are harbouring them to go and commit crime anywhere”.
The community spokesman pleaded with security agencies to redouble their efforts in protecting their lives and property.
He said they have a vigilante group duly inaugurated by the police and which have been working efficiently with the police, adding that “Our community is also not sleeping and have been holding series of meetings on the way forward”.
The community leaders tasked government at all levels not to politicize security but should take concrete steps by arresting the culprits and deal with them decisively, as people feel that those arrested are later freed.
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