Gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, an arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday, invaded traders at the new cattle market located in Omumauzor, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the gunmen opened fire at the traders, killing eight and injuring many others during the operation.
Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Information, Eze Chikamanyo, in a statement on Wednesday, described the incident as unfortunate.
He said: “We are shocked and saddened by this mindless and barbaric act of violence that claimed the lives of about eight innocent citizens of our great country.
“We totally condemn this dastardly act together with its wicked perpetrators.”
According to the commissioner, the state government has deployed various security agents to the scene of the incident to secure the lives and property of the innocent traders and residents.
Mr Chikanmayo said that the state government would not relent in ensuring that the assailants were arrested and brought to book.
He added that a team made up of senior government officials had visited the scene to assess the situation.
Mr Chikanmayo said that the state government was working assiduously to provide succour to the families of the victims and added that injured victims were currently receiving medical attention.
He said that the state government had commenced an immediate relocation of the cattle traders to a safer location and had started working out compensation for the losses recorded by the traders during the incident.
Mr Chikanmayo added that the state government would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the evil perpetrators were brought to justice while waiting for the outcome of the ongoing investigations by security agencies.
Mr Chikamnayo prayed to God to grant the families of victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He urged the people of Abia to remain law-abiding and promptly report any suspicious movements to the appropriate authorities.
