In the face of alarming rumors and fake news suggesting that the Abia State Government had issued eviction orders to Northern residents and business owners at the Lokpanta Cattle Market, situated along the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway by Umunneochi, the government has emphatically denied these claims. The government firmly asserts that there is no truth to these allegations, emphasizing that the individuals in question are not outsiders but “the second and third generations of Igbos” who have been living and conducting their business in Lokpanta.
Addressing the public and journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander Macdonald Ubah (rtd), provided comprehensive clarification on the situation. He highlighted the escalating security concerns in the Lokpanta-Uturu region, which has experienced a surge in criminal activities over recent years. These concerns led to decisive actions taken by the State Government to combat the rising incidences of kidnappings and other unlawful activities in the area.
Ubah explained that initial investigations indicated that the Lokpanta Cattle Market had become a notorious hideout for a range of criminal elements, including individuals involved in kidnappings, organ harvesting, armed robbery, and various violent crimes. He further revealed that the market was even used as a hub for negotiating ransom payments in kidnapping cases around the Uturu-Umunneochi axis. In light of these revelations, the government initiated several measures, including the demolition of brothels and shanties within the market area, as part of their commitment to enhancing security.
The retired Naval Commander underlined the inclusive approach of Governor Alex Otti, OFR, who he described as a detribalized Nigerian. Governor Otti’s leadership, exemplified by his appointment of non-Abians into his cabinet, emphasizes the importance of unity and diversity. Ubah emphasized that most of the cattle dealers in the state represent the second and third generations of Igbos, reinforcing the notion that the government would not issue any eviction orders directed at them. Therefore, the alleged directive attributed to Governor Otti is unequivocally false.
While quashing the rumors of eviction, Ubah clarified the government’s stance: the Lokpanta Cattle Market is to be transitioned into a non-residential space and designated as a daily market. This transformation serves the interests of both the residents and cattle dealers in the area and will not be rescinded.
Ubah further informed the media about his two meetings with the leadership of the market unions, during which he conveyed the government’s decision to convert the market into a daily trading space for security reasons. The objective is to foster a safer environment for all, prevent criminal activities, and ensure the well-being of the citizens.
In light of these facts, Nigerians are urged to disregard the fake news and conspiracy theories, as the Abia State Government has no intention of evicting Northerners from Lokpanta, and Governor Otti has not issued any such directive, as falsely claimed in the erroneous report. The government’s unwavering commitment is to enhance security and provide a conducive atmosphere for all residents, without discrimination based on their regional or ethnic origins.