From Geoffrey Anyanwu and Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Palpable tension enveloped Enugu State capital, yesterday, following the killing of yet to be confirmed number of traders at the Ogbete Main Market Enugu by security operatives.
There were three versions of the number of casualties with one saying three, two men and a lady; two men while the last version said one young man.
The victim(s) were felled by bullets of trigger-happy security operatives during alleged peaceful protest by traders over sealing of their shops by the government.
Hundreds of traders at the popular market had earlier on Wednesday morning trooped out in protest over the closure of their shops by the state government for failing to open on Monday.
Government blamed traders whose shops were sealed for defying the instruction on how the shops should be re-opened and for resorting to self-help by removing the seals.
The state Police Command could not confirm the casualty details at press time as the spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe only said normalcy had been restored at the market and that further development, especially as it concerned reports of casualties being circulated, would be made known at shortest possible time.
His three-paragraph statement read: “Normalcy has been restored at Ogbete Market Enugu and its surroundings, following the report of protest by some traders over the sealing of their shops by the State Government and their attempt to force others, whose shops were not sealed, to close theirs and the entire market closed. The initially peaceful protest was hijacked and made to become violent.
“Traders in the market and citizens alike have been pleaded with to remain law-abiding, peaceful and cooperative, while using approved channels to express their grievances.
“Full-scale investigation has been initiated on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, while further development, especially as it concerns reports of casualties being circulated, will be communicated as soon as possible, please.”
Reacting, the state government said it had commenced investigation to unravel the ugly incident.
Secretary to Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere, in a statement, said government received with grave concern the ugly incident at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu.
He said that information available to government showed 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.
The SSG said, rather the traders resorted to self-help by removing the seals which 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,” Onyia said.
He also said government would be receiving further briefings on the development.
“In the meantime, investigation to unravel the circumstances 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.”
Eyewitnesses said in the course of the protest, Policemen who were mobilised to quell the protest shot and killed the victim(s) while some other traders sustained bullet wounds.
The state government had on Monday sealed shops in the market and business premises in some areas of the state capital who did not open for business on Monday because of sit-at-home.
Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia in a statement on Tuesday said the affected shops would remain closed for one week and would not be considered for re-opening until the owners produced tax clearance certificates and other relevant documents.
It read: “The Enugu State Government wishes to commend civil society organisations and residents that took ownership of government’s ban on illegal sit-at-home orders by embarking on peaceful demonstrations in the capital city yesterday. Government commends the participants for their peaceful conduct throughout the demonstrations.
“In previous announcements to the good people and residents of Enugu State, the government had directed business and shop owners to open for normal businesses on Monday and every work day, or have the defaulting business premises and shops sealed. That was exactly what the government did on Monday, July 24, 2023, to enforce its earlier directives.
“All businesses that were sealed shall remain sealed for one week, at the end of which they shall provide their current tax clearance certificates and all other relevant revenue documents to enable the state government to review and consider their formal letters for re-opening. Again, all considerations start from Friday, July 28, 2023 from 2.00 pm at the Enugu State Capital Development Authority (ECTDA) headquarters.”
Before yesterday’s unfortunate incident, some members of the public including the former Minister of Information and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the March 18 governorship election in Enugu state, Frank Nweke Jr., had cautioned the state government on some of its strategy for enforcing end to sit-at-home.
Nweke Jr. in a statement on Monday, July 24, advised Governor Peter Mbah and his government not to allow themselves to be lured into taking counterproductive actions in the quest to end sit-at-home in the state but to work to earn the trust of citizens.
“Government should not be baited by non state actors into coercive actions that may be counterproductive.
“…The sit-at-home order by renegades is destructive. It undermines the rights of citizens to free movement and pursuit of their social and economic endeavours. No benefit can come out of this obnoxious imposition. Government is right in working to end it.
“Sealing businesses, however, for not opening to business further compels the shop owners to ‘sit at home’. Just, what you don’t want.
“…The ongoing efforts by the government are commendable. In addition to mobilizing the security services, the government must work to earn the trust of citizens. Trust cannot be earned by force. It cannot be decreed. Overturning these two years of fear will require some level of patience,” he said among other things.