Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Three Fulani cattle rustlers were Monday arrested in Umuahia Abia State, while attempting to rustle cows at Ohiya Community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia.
They were arrested by the operatives of a special security team codenamed ‘Operation Crush,” following a tip-off.
Briefing newsmen on the matter at the Government House, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (retd.), said the arrest of the rustlers had averted the crisis that would have ensued between the cow owners and the host communities.
“We all know what would have happened if those cattle were rustled, and the effect it would have had on the Onhiya community and the problems it would have occasioned,” he said.
He re-stated the resolve of the State Government not to allow criminals any breeding ground in Abia.
“This is to state that Abia State, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Alex Choma Otti, will yield no ground to criminals, most especially those that will make life unbearable for the citizens of Abia State.
“If not for the intervention of Operation Crush, the intention was to rustle the cattle from their fellow Fulani herdsmen. That would have created the impression that the Onhiya community had rustled the cattle.
“We will learn a lesson from what has happened to others. And that is the sequence for which the Abia State security is trying to take. We will use what has happened to others to learn how to solve such issues within our state,” Uba said.
The SA said investigations were going on to unravel other collaborators.
“We have other information that would further lead to the arrest of the Alhajis who would have bought the cattle from them.”
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Hausa community in Abia State, Sariin Hausawa, HRH Eze Yaro Danladi decried the activities of cattle rustlers.
He noted that their action would have ignited a serious crisis between the cattle owners and members of the host community.
“Imagine what action the owners of the cattle would have taken on Ohiya community,” he wondered.
One of the rustlers, who is a herder, said they had planned to take one cattle.
He, however, said “the owners are claiming five cows.”
