Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State has given reasons for demolishing brothels and shanties at the regional cattle market, Lokpanta.
The action according to the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Sopuruchi Bekee, is to rid the market of criminal elements including kidnappers and drug traffickers who use the brothels as hideouts.
Bekee in a statement said that that a kidnapper was recently arrested in one of the shanties, hence the resolve of Government to demolish the shanties and ensure that hoodlums have no breeding ground in the state.
The demolition is coming less than two weeks Umunneochi youths threatened to demolish the shanties which they said haboured criminals.
According to the Leader of youths in the Council, Prince Uche, their presence has a negative influence on the youths of the area who he said had been lured into wild lifestyle.
The youths had called for the immediate relocation of the market out of Umunneochi Council.
The cattle market was brought to Lokpanta by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu while he was the Governor of Abia State.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Homeland Security, explained that the demolition was carried out by the State Government as part of the on-going measures to contain insecurity in the area.
He restated Government’s resolve to flush criminals out of the state.
The statement obtained by Ikengaonline read:
“Our attention has been drawn to videos circulating on social media purporting to be demolished “Igbo quarters” at Lokpanta Cattle Market and we wish to state the facts as follows:
“The demolished areas are shanties and brothels where criminal elements hide and from where they attack unsuspecting citizens.
We recently arrested a kidnapper who is a member of the gang terrorizing travelers around the area.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the demolition was carried out by security agents and representatives of the government of Abia State based on verified information that criminals are using the place as launching pad to attack and kidnap citizens.
“Our ongoing security operations within that axis are aimed at rooting out criminal elements and no stone will be left unturned until our aim is achieved.
“We appreciate the support of citizens and residents of the area who are providing needed information and wish to assure that in no time, we will totally dominate the area to ensure security of lives and property.”
