Shop Owners Weep As Soludo Commences Demolition Of Onitsha Main Market Despite Court Order

.Scavengers Make Brisk Business–

By Chuks Eke—

It was all cries and wailing as Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, in the early hours of Sunday, commenced the demolition of the Onitsha Main market, despite a court order not to demolish the market pending the determination of  a substantive suit.

Eye-witnesses gathered that as at 12.30 am Saturday midnight, security operatives that included the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and Agunechember security outfit barricaded the entrance roads leading to the market before the demolition.

As of 12 noon on Sunday, shops on Johnson Street and some parts of the Gwongworo (major structure) of the market have been pulled down and extended to lines within the market.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of security operatives, a trader at the market, Okeke Akasim said, “I rushed to evacuate my wares at 2am when I heard that they have started demolishing Main market and on getting close, a security man said I must ‘settle’ him before passing and I gave him N500.

“When I got close to my shop, it was already demolished with the wares there, and I collapsed, and on regaining consciousness, I managed to leave without a pin from my shop, ” he stated.

Another trader who pleaded anonymity stated: “In my own presence, the iron structure of my shop was sold by a vigilante operative despite my plea to him. He asked me why I did not comply with the order that we should remove our wares within 14 days.”

Scavengers are reported to have made brisk business as shops with iron features are ready-made wares for the scavengers at giveaway prices.

Traders at the Main market who will come to the market on Monday will not be allowed to enter the market as it has been barricaded by security operatives who have taken over the market since the weekend till the time of filing this report.