By Ayodele Oni
Following a bloody protest at the Ogbete popular market in Enugu on Wednesday, the State Government has commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the violent protest.
The protest enveloped the Market in the State capital and led to the death of unspecified number of persons, while several others sustained various degree of injuries.
The State Government, in a statement, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, expressed grave concern over the incident, and appealed to the people and residents of Enugu to remain calm, and go about their lawful businesses.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Enugu State Command, Ahmed Ammani, has also ordered full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s violent protest at Ogbete Main Market.
The Command in a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), said that the number of people either killed or wounded during the violent protest would be made public as soon as possible.
According to the Enugu State Government, the crisis started when traders whose shops were sealed on the orders of the Government for non-compliance with the order banning Monday sit-at-home, resorted to reopening their shops without following the rules and procedure enunciated by the Government.
The Governor similarly ordered Civil and Public Servants in the State to report for work on Mondays, just as he instructed relevant Government Agencies to seal business premises and shops which owners failed to open on Mondays.
The statement by the State Government reads: “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.
The Police statement reads “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.”
The traders whose shops – over 100 – were locked by the Government for not opening their shops, while protesting, asked the Governor what business of his it was whether they open their shops or not.
“Will you force us to go to the market? Is it your business. Leave us alone and go and produce your original NYSC Certificate.”
Those who countered them were, however, happy over the Governor’s determination to stop the evil that is the sit-at-home order.
