Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Traders from Ngwa Road market, Aba, have sent Save Our Souls (SoS) call to Governor Alex Otti, over the alleged sealing of their shops by the military after the May 30 killing of five soldiers in Aba.
The traders who stormed Government House Umuahia on Tuesday, said that they ” are under military siege,” and sought the Governor’s intervention.
They carried placards with various inscriptions such as: “The military and masses are friends why suffering us?” “We are not the cause of the Aba incident why suffering us?” “We are tired of staying at home;” “We have no access to our shops any more;” “Our shops are under siege.”
Speaking for the protesters, President of the Traders’ Association, Chinedu Oforndu, lamented that they have not been able to access to their shops since the incident.
He lamented that the traders and their families have been put under undue hardship since the siege started.
He said: “Our shops are under siege by the military since May 30. We don’t have access to our shops again. Hunger is dealing with us. Governor please come to our rescue,” he pleaded.
Adding his voice, the Secretary of the traders, Mr Ikenna Ohanaba, said that the traders have been frustrated over the situation, and needed Government’s help.
Ohanaba who said that the scene of the attack against the slain soldiers was far from the location of the market, wondered why traders would be made to suffer for what they had no hand in.
Addressing the traders, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem, commended the traders for their peaceful comportment.
He promised to convey their grievances to the Governor, and pleaded with them to remain calm as Government is making spirited efforts to put the situation under check.
The SA noted that unprovoked attack on the military usually comes with collateral damages, adding that but for the maturity and tact with which Gov Otti is handling the situation, something worse might have happened.
Inem said that the security situation would be reviewed and the proper things done.
He further urged the traders to assist Government with any useful information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
Chief Inem said the Governor had to raise the bounty on the perpetrators from N25 million to N30 million to demonstrate Government’s commitment in apprehending the culprits.
He said that Abia State Government was working hard to restore normality in the commercial city.
