The Chairman of Chisom Abattoir located along Enugu-Onitsha, expressway, Christian Nwankwo, was over the weekend attacked and beaten to a pulp by some thugs alleged to have been brought by the Chairman of Awka North local government area, Cosmos Okonkwo, over his refusal to pay daily levy of N300.00 per cow into the coffers of his council.

Briefing journalists in Awka yesterday, the Abattoir chairman who was heavily injured alleged that the hoodlums led by the Awka North council chairman wielded dangerous weapons including guns, matchets, among others, when they attacked the abattoir.

Surrounded by some of his executive members, Theo Igwe (patron), Emma Nwagu (Vice Chairman), Ifeanyi Ezeonu (Treasurer) and Akuchi Israel (member), he alleged that the Association was paying the council 30,000 naira each week before the government of Chief Willie Obiano took over the abattoir and directed that all the revenues should be paid into the state account, which they complied with.

He alleged that before the invasion, they were at the abattoir counting money they will use to purchase cows from the market for some of their members when they swooped in on them beating him mercilessly and made away with the money which was about N18.7 million and the following day they came back and carted away 16 life cows worth two million naira.

Nwankwo however called on Governor Willie Obiano to come to the aid of the meat sellers at Amansea before it was too late.

On his part, the counsel for the Association, Chief Emmanuel Okechukwu, who was also present at the briefing, said that the action of the council chairman and his people were uncalled for, as the court had earlier given injunction concerning the matter.

When the chairman of Awka North, Cosmos Okonkwo, was contacted, he described the allegations as baseless.

“The police had started investigation on the issue already, I do not know why they are still going on with such baseless allegations,” Okonkwo said

Okonkwo, further said that if anybody wanted to know the true position of what transpired, that the B-Division of the Police Department should be contacted

The Police Area Commander for Awka, Usman Yusuf who confirmed the incident was however quick to avert a total disaster as they stormed the battle arena with over 100 red-eyed mobile police men.

He said that since they had reported the matter to the state police command, they should allow police to carry out their investigations.

He said there was no arrest yet that what happened was that the command was on hand to make sure that there was no breakdown of law and order.

•Photo shows Christian Nwankwo after being beaten by the thugs.

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