Ikpeazu, Okorocha Blame Miscreants For Killing Five Fulani Herdsmen

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, said the five Fulani herdsmen killed in a forest along the border of the two states was an act of kidnapping carried out by miscreants.

The governors spoke on Monday in Umuahia while briefing newsmen on the outcome of a Joint Security Council meeting of the two states. Ikpeazu said that kidnapping had become a recurring decimal in the area, adding that the meeting was convened to make a bold statement on the security challenges that confronted 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,” Ikpeazu said.

In his remarks, Okorocha also condemned the killing, adding that the culprits would be punished.

“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,” Okorocha said.