By Our Reporter
Traders in Ogbete market Enugu State on Wednesday defied an order from the state government in their quest to reopen shops sealed by government agents for noncompliance to official directives.
Unconfirmed reports revealed that there was heavy shooting following the violent protest that ensued thereof.
Meanwhile, reactions from Enugu State government indicates that violence began when armed hoodlums joined the protest and resisted intervention attempt by government operatives.
Below is the detail of official reaction from the government of Enugu State signed by the SSG Professor Chidiebere Onyia which read in part;
The Enugu State Government received with grave concern the ugly incident at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, today.
Information available to Government shows that traders whose shops were sealed for non-compliance with Government’s order banning Monday sit-at-home, defied the instruction on how the shops should be re-opened and resorted to self-help by removing the seals. This led to internal squabbles between the market leadership and some of the affected traders.
The ensuing confrontation resulted in a protest, which was infiltrated and hijacked by dangerously armed hoodlums and miscreants, who broke shops and looted traders’ wares.
Attempt by security operatives to restore order and prevent further looting was violently resisted by the imported and armed hoodlums. Government is receiving further briefings on the development.
In the meantime, investigation to unravel the circumstance surrounding the incident, including the reports of casualty, is already ongoing.
Government calls on the people and residents of Enugu to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, as adequate security measures are in place to secure lives and property in the State.
