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  • News - South East - Anambra
  • Updated: December 26, 2022

Soludo, Traders Clash Over Arrest Of Market Leader

Soludo, Traders Clash Over Arrest Of Market Leader

Soludo

Traders at the Bridge Head market in Onitsha, Anambra State are threatening to take on the state government over the arrest of its Chairman, Chief Chinedu Ezekwike by officials of Onitsha South Local Government Area.

The market leader is currently detained at Fegge Police Station in Onitsha.

He was accused of countering the order by the Anambra State government to suspend the reconstruction of the burnt Onitsha drug market in the area.

Vanguard gathered that Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who allegedly ordered the arrest, was not happy that the caretaker committee chairman commenced the rebuilding of the shops razed down during the fire outbreak in November when investigations into the cause of the fire incident had not been concluded.

The Chairman of Onitsha South local government area led the team of security operatives to effect the arrest of the chairman during which he also ordered that work should stop immediately.

But traders at the market hinted yesterday that they would protest the stoppage of work and detention of their chairman.

They added that their families experienced a bleak Christmas because they had not done any business since the fire incident in November.

One of the traders said: “We have not done any business for nearly two months when our shops were burnt down and because we don’t want to enter the new year without reconstructing our shops this year, we supported the chairman in his efforts to see that business resumes in the market in the new year.

“Now with the latest development, it means that we will remain at home when markets reopen in Onitsha after the new year celebration.

“We were happy when the chairman flagged off the reconstruction, but now our hope is dashed

“We, therefore, plead with Governor Soludo to release our chairman and allow the reconstruction of the market to continue in the interest of our businesses and families."

He alleged that Governor Soludo did not want the market to be rebuilt because he had already decided to relocate the drug market to Oba in Idemili North local government area, while the present market would be converted to a motor park.

 

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