The Imo state government on Saturday began the demolition of
the ancestral Eke ukwu market in Owerri, amidst stiff protest by the
occupants, and at least a casualty has been recorded.
It
will be recalled that the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has been in a
protracted move to relocate the market. The governor presented his case
citing the traffic problems constituted by trading activities on the
strategic “Douglas road” as one of his reasons.
Owerri
indigens, however, argued that the market is part of their traditional
herittage which should not be tampered with but rather be upgraded with
today’s shopping mall facilities.
However,
yesterday, there was a massive deployment of soldiers around the
market, ahead of the demolition today. Reports trickling in from the
state indicates that a young boy who went to help his mother move her
wares, was killed by a stray bullet.
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