Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group, has condemned in strong terms, the Tuesday’s midnight attack on the new cattle/Abattoir Market in Omuma Uzo, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State that left about eight persons dead and many others injured.

FENRAD, in a statement authored by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, and Head, Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Enforcement, Barr. Akande Femisi, and issued on Friday, February 18, 2022, noted that the killing was capable of inciting violence in Abia. The statement was entitled: No! Not Again.”

The group commended the government for the step it has taken to unravel those behind the barbaric act and urged the state to strive to ensure enhanced security and wellbeing of the traders who recently relocated to the Omuma Uzo cattle/Abattoir market as a result the Ahiaudele Market, Waterside, Aba fatal accident.

A loaded trailer had crashed into the Cattle Market at Waterside Aba earlier this month, killing many persons and injuring others. For the safety of the traders, the government closed the Waterside Market and ordered those doing business in that market to relocate to Omuma Uzo where they have hardly settled down when hoodlums struck and killed about eight persons and injured many others on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

Reacting to the bizarre incident, FENRAD said: “This is condemnable in all its sense as any killing capable of inciting violence would never serve Abia State and its good people a win-win outcome. Having stated this, FENRAD wishes to express its support to the state government, especially in rounding up and prosecuting those behind these ugly killings.

“Abia is, as the title goes, God’s Own State, one that seeks to enthrone peace and peaceful coexistence. In a previous release, FENRAD called on the state government to ensure that butchers and cattle sellers are given the best in terms of relocation or new market site. That same truth stares Abia in the face now.

“FENRAD is aware that sequel to this wicked act, the state government set up a high-powered committee comprising commissioners for Police, Trade and Investment, and that of Homeland Security together with Chief of Staff to the Governor and Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA. While wishing the Committee good speed, FENRAD demands the best from it still; nothing can be better.

“FENRAD calls on the state government to do the needful by ensuring that the wounded and all those victims receive proper medical attention. Finally, FENRAD wishes to identify with all those mourning, who have lost their loved ones as a result of this attack, that they are not alone in a time like this. Our hearts go out to them. May we never see this level of barbarism again in our state. Never again!”

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