The Nigeria Police Force’s Enugu State Command has initiated an inquiry into the killing of protesting shopkeepers in Ogbete Main Market after the Governor Peter Mbah-led government closed their stores.
Earlier, news outlets stated that the governor ordered military and police officers to the market to ensure that traders whose firms he had closed did not trade in the market, resulting in a demonstration in which the operatives shot two traders dead and injured numerous others.
On Monday, it was reported that Governor Mbah, who had outlawed a sit-in protest imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to press the federal government to free their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on July 5, 2023, had blocked over 100 businesses for non-compliance.
Sit-at-home: Ogbete Market Traders Protest Over Sealing of Shops By Enugu Govt (Video)
However, trouble started when traders in Ogbete Market came to market on Wednesday, to do their business but their shops were locked.
Consequently, protests erupted in the market as those whose shops were padlocked demanded that the market be closed or their shops unsealed.
Following the protest, the governor directed security deployment in the market and indefinite shutting down of the market.
The protest later turned into violence after the security agencies shot dead two traders and wounded several others.
Reacting to the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Daniel Ndukwe, described it as unfortunate, noting that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, had directed for thorough investigation into the killings of protesters.
Two Reportedly Dead, Several Others Injured As Traders Clash With Soldiers In Enugu
Ndukwe, in a statement issued on the incident, said that “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 statement added, “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.
“The 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.”
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