Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has promised that the masterminds of Tuesday’s attack on the New Cattle Market and Abattoir in Omumauzor Village would not escape justice.

Ikpeazu made the promise on Thursday when he visited the market, accompanied by top government functionaries, to appraise the extent of damage caused during the attack.

He, therefore, said that the government would collaborate with the security agencies in the state to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted.

He said the primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and properties.

“From preliminary investigation, it is clear to us that the attack was not done by the natives of Omumauzor because they provided refuge for some of the victims.

“We understand also that the perpetrators came in buses from where we don’t know, and investigations are ongoing.

“I want to assure Nigerians that we have the capacity to protect lives and property of residents in Abia and we will get to the root of the matter.

“I promise that those of us alive will do everything to bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime and stop it from happening again,” the governor said.

He promised that the state government would deploy available resources to continue with the development of the facility and reinforcement of security around it.

He further said that government would give financial assistance to traders, who lost their property, to enable them to re-start their businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that unidentified hoodlums had on Tuesday night set the market, located in Ukwe West Local Government Area, ablaze, leading to the loss of lives and property.