TRADERS PROTEST ARMY INTIMIDATION IN ABIA

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Traders from Ngwa Road Market, Aba have staged a peaceful protest at the Abia State Government House Umuahia over alleged siege of the market by the military following the May 30th killing of five soldiers by unknown gunmen at Obikabia in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

Some traders of the market, with various inscriptions, appealed to Governor Alex Otti to intervene over alleged siege and intimidation by soldiers in the area and open their shops for business.

Some of the inscriptions read: “We have no access to our shops any more,” “We are tired of staying at home,” “Our shops are under siege,” and “We are not the cause of the incident that happen in Aba.”

Speaking with journalists at the Government House, President of the Traders’ Association, Mr. Chinedu Oforndu, expressed regret that they had not been able to have access to their shops since the incident at Obikabia.

Mr. Oforndu alleged that the actions of the soldiers had caused so much hardship on them as they found it difficult to cater for their families.

Responding, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem, commended the traders for their peaceful approach.

Chief Inem urged the the Ngwa Road traders to remain calm with an assurance that their complaint would be transmitted to Governor Alex Otti.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU