100 innocent farmers arrested will be released- Governor Ikpeazu

www.odogwublog.com reports that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, has assured that the over 100 innocent members of Umuobasiukwu community arrested by the police over a recent clash with herdsmen would be released after proper investigation.

Ikpeazu’s Special Adviser on Police Affairs, Sir. Collins Obi said none of those arrested would be denied justice.

He thanked the police for their prompt response to which helped in quelling the fracas and bringing the situation under control.

Ikpeazu said government was collaborating with the necessary stakeholders including the leadership of Hausa/ Fulani community in the state, the traditional rulers, security agencies among others to put in place a template that would forestall further clashes between herdsmen and their host communities.

The Special Adviser who also doubles as the Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) in Zone 9 comprising Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Abia States, urged members of the public to report any case of police excesses to his office or the police leadership in the state for necessary actions.

Secretary General of Umuobasiukwu community, Chief Uwakwe Mbaonu, had raised the alarm that the police had resorted to mass arrest of members of the community after the fracas with herdsmen.

He wondered why the police would mete out such action to the locals when no herdsman had ever been arrested after series of unprovoked attacks on the community.

While calling on the federal government to call the headmen parading around the community in their large numbers to order, Mbaonu said the locals now  live in fear of the unknown.