Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Police Command, has confirmed the attack of seven youths by yet-to-be identified assailants.
This is as the Command said that it had recovered 65 missing cows in the state.
The attack according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Maureen Chinaka, took place at Lokpanta in Umunneochi Local Government Area; and Eziama Nunya Community in Isuikwuato LGA, respectively.
The statement said the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, had already visited the scenes of the incidents for on the spot assessment of the situation.
According to the statement, the CP has sued for calm while vowing to bring the masterminds to justice.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read: “The Abia State CP, Danladi Isa, visited Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umunneochi LGA and Eziama Nunya in Isuikwuato LGA Abia State, for an on-the-spot assessment following the recent attack of 7 youths, 1 bodily injured, and 65 missing cattle by yet-to-be-identified assailants in the aforementioned areas.
“During the visit, the CP extended his heartfelt sympathies to members of the community. He reassured them of the Command’s unwavering commitment to bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. He urged them to remain calm, refrain from taking laws into their own hands, and cooperate fully with the Police.
“To expedite justice, the Command in collaboration with local guards from Seriki Hausa, has successfully recovered 56 of the missing cattle.
“Intensive operations are in progress to track down the remaining cattle and apprehend the assailants.”
Meanwhile, the leader of the Northern Community in Abia State, Alhaji Danladi Yaro, has called for the protection of Northerners living in the state.
Addressing newsmen in Umuahia, Alhaji Yaro said five herders were allegedly killed at Lokpanta last week, October 13, and another herder killed at Nunya the following day.
Yaro appealed to security agencies to fish out those behind the attack.
He also appealed to host communities to help protect Northerners in their domain, arguing that they had peacefully co-existed with their host communities for years.
