Onitsha Traders Petition IGP Over Alleged Intimidation, Demolition of Market Plaza

Traders working underneath the Association of Modebeb Traders in Onitsha, Anambra State, have referred to as on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to research alleged threats, intimidation and the demolition of business properties linked to an ongoing dispute over market management and possession.

The attraction was made throughout a press briefing in Abuja, the place representatives of the affiliation claimed that they had endured harassment and security-related intimidation for practically two years. Speaking on behalf of the merchants, Chief Okey Muojekwu alleged that sure people had leveraged connections inside safety companies to focus on members of the affiliation, creating an environment of worry and uncertainty amongst merchants.

According to him, the battle escalated in 2025 when a market plaza housing a number of companies was demolished, affecting merchants who had invested closely within the property. Muojekwu claimed that 4 buildings, together with properties situated at 77 and 79, have been pulled down, disrupting enterprise actions and inflicting important losses to occupants.

He additional alleged that some individuals manipulated possession information by altering property paperwork beforehand registered underneath Osumakan Model Ventures, and urged related authorities to research the claims and decide the official possession of the affected properties. The affiliation’s spokesperson additionally accused some police operatives, together with officers hooked up to a particular anti-narcotics unit in Onitsha, of getting used to intimidate merchants concerned within the dispute.

Muojekwu recounted an incident during which he was allegedly attacked by suspected thugs and stabbed with a knife however managed to flee and report the matter to the police. He expressed concern that, regardless of repeated complaints, these allegedly liable for the assaults and threats had not been successfully restrained.

The merchants additionally raised issues over the alleged abduction and detention of a person recognized as Chris Okon and a lady, claiming the girl remained in custody for a number of days earlier than she was ultimately launched.

They appealed to the IGP to make sure an intensive investigation into all allegations, present safety for affected merchants and produce anybody discovered culpable to justice.

Chairman of the market affiliation, Tochukwu Umeh, linked the disaster to disagreements surrounding the elimination of sure market leaders by the Anambra State Government. Umeh argued that some people continued to occupy positions regardless of the federal government’s determination and maintained that elected market officers shouldn’t be arbitrarily eliminated.

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