By Deborah Hassan
365Daily– Abia State government has assured the families of traders killed in last week’s attack at new Omuma-Uzo Cattle Market that it will support them.
The governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu, gave the assurance when he received leaders of the Hausa Community and Hausa leaders from Gombe and Adamawa at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba, a statement issued by Mr Onyebuchi Ememankah, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor disclosed on Monday in Aba.
“The state government will provide some form of support for families of those who lost their lives during the attack and take care of the medical bills of the injured.
“The state government would also assist those whose livestock were killed to enable them carry on with their businesses,” Ikpeazu said.
While describing the incident as unfortunate and condemnable, he commiserated with the families of the victims and restated his administration’s commitment to the security and welfare of all residents, irrespective of tribe or religion.
“Because there cannot be any form of sustainable development in an unsecured environment.
”My administration’s peace philosophy is behind the decision to devise means of resolving conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in the state, through setting up a Conflict Resolution Committee,” he said.
He explained that it is in a bid to keep the peace that the government resolved to pay compensation to farmers or herdsmen who lost crops or cows, after proper assessment.
”The security chiefs in the state are working tirelessly to fish out the perpetrators of that ugly incident, and they will not go unpunished.
”Every necessary step would be taken to avert future occurrences of such dastardly actions,” he assures.
The governor advised members of the Hausa Community to feel free to interact with the people without fear, saying that his administration was capable of protecting their lives and property.
Ikpeazu added that the attack did not affect only Hausa traders, as some of the victims were Igbo.
“The impression that only Hausa people were in the business of selling cows is wrong,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman, Hausa Cattle Market, Alhaji Ibrahim Njidda, briefed the governor on the incident, recalling the cordial relationship that existed between Ikpeazu and the traders.
He appealed to the governor to assist the victims as well as relocate the market to a better secured location.
Mr Okey Kanu, the Executive Chairman, Ukwa West local government council said that the Hausa Community had hitherto enjoyed good relationship with the host community.
Kanu requested that security be fortified in the area.