By Praise Chinecherem
The youth wing of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has commended Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti and security agencies in the state for successful bursting of a criminal den at Lokpanta Regional Cattle Market in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the State.
The governor had, during a media parley, revealed that the vicinity of the market had become a den of criminals where all manner of atrocities were committed.
He said in less than 48 hours, the security team recovered over 50 dead bodies around the cattle market in Umunneochi, with over 20 decomposing headless bodies, including men, women, children as well as uncountable skeletons.
Reacting to the development, Acting National Youth Leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu described Otti’s efforts to rid the state of criminals as commendable.
He said, “We commend the governor for the effort to purge that part of Abia State of the notorious criminal activities going on there.
“We regret the nature of cannibalism and abomination that was discovered there. So many dead bodies, so many headless bodies, uncountable skeletons.
“You can imagine how many Nigerians, especially Ndigbo that have been killed, maimed and destroyed there.
“To us as Ohaneze youths, that is quite unacceptable and we appreciate the governor of Abia State and the security agencies for this commendable feat.”
The Ohaneze youth leader used the opportunity to speak on the upcoming Igbo Youths Security Summit, coming up on the 30th of November, 2023, aimed at encouraging Igbo youths to refrain from all kinds of crime and criminality.
According to him, the Summit is organized in collaboration with Southeast Governors Forum, the Truth, Justice and Peace Commission headed by frontline Human Rights Activist, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, and all Southeast House of Representatives members.
“We as Igbo youth leaders in Ohaneze, are convoking the highest security summit of the region.
“The major focus is on Igbo youths, especially the bad and ugly, who are the factors affecting security in the region, to engage them gainfully for rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration for a better and stable Southeastern region.
“Time has come to tactically engage our youths, to save them from further death and destruction, both for themselves and the society.
“Security is everybody’s business. So, time has come for all hands to be on deck to purge our communities, and the Southeast of all non-state activities and all forms of criminality, in the name of self-determination or agitation for Biafra or in protest over marginalization,” he said.
Okpalaezeukwu further insisted that the new direction of the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization was propelled by overwhelming support it was getting from the leadership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo led by the President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
In his words, “The Southeast is poised for a great future under the leadership of the present Ohaneze hierarchy and all that is required is the support and solidarity of all Ndigbo, to ensure that the laudaable vision of Chief Iwuanyanwu, comes to fruition.
“On our part, as youth leaders, we will continue to show examples as to how Igbo youths should comport themselves, to be able to find relevance in the Nigerian nation.”
