‘Igbos and Hausa-Fulani herdsmen were murdered ’ in Abia — Okorocha

The Executive Governor of Imo State , Chief Rochas Okorocha  ​said​ that​ the ​killing of ​five “Hausa-Fulani” ​herdsmen ​in a forest along the border of the two states was done by “miscreants​”, and not targeted to any ethnic nationality as being speculated in some quaters.

The Governor said this having had a joint Security Council Meeting with his counterpart, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Executive Governor of Abia State.

Both Governors totally disagreed with the report made on Saturday by a particular Security Agency that it has discovered the mass graves of “Hausa-Fulani” residents abducted and murdered by suspected members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in Abia State warning that such statements can generate tension and that not what we want in our country now, they added.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State discarded the statement by saying that  the attack was not directed at a particularly ethnic group as two Igbos were also ​killed in the attack.​​ He added that the killing was a case of kidnapping and had nothing to do with ethnicity.

Gov Ikpeazu thanked Owelle Rochas Okorocha for responding adequstely in taclking of the issue of insecurity within the zone.  He said also that what affects Abia touches Imo based on historical links and proximity assuring that the era of  kidnappers carrying out crimes in Imo and run to Abia or vice versa is over.

The governor of Imo State and Coordinator of South-East Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha in his remarks said Imo and Abia are "one and the same" and what affects one, touches the other. He said there is a need for collaborative efforts in tackling the security challenges facing both states.

The host, Dr Ikpeazu said kidnapping had become a recurring decimal in the area, adding that the meeting was convened with the intention to face squarely the issues of insecurity especially kidnapping menace facing both States.

“We condemn the killings as it concerns the five Fulani men that were abducted and assassinated in a forest.

“And we are all united in the fact that the particular forest and such other forests will be rid of criminals that use them as hideouts.

“It is our responsibility to protect lives and property of people that reside in Abia, as security agencies of both states have been mandated to cross the borders of both states to hunt down criminals,” Mr. Ikpeazu said.

In his remarks, Mr. Okorocha also condemned the killing, saying the culprits would be fished out and adequate punishment will be meted on them.

“On the issue of the killing of five Fulani men that has caused tension, the culprits have been arrested and will be dealt with under the law as well as made to pay the ultimate price,” he added.