No fewer than seven persons sustained injuries when members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) clashed with traders at the Old Motor Spare Parts, Mgbuka in the commercial city of Onitsha.
The traders, it was gathered, in a violent riot barricaded the ever-busy Onitsha-Owerri Road, wielding dangerous weapons in search of the members of MASSOB, who allegedly attacked some traders in the market over non remittance of tolls collected in the market.
Alhough no life was lost, property worth millions of naira were destroyed during the impasse including the building that was housing the offices of MASSOB located behind the Mgbuka market which was completely demolished by the angry traders.
A source, who did not want his name in print narrated that trouble started when a trader (name withheld) was approached by members of MASSOB demanding some money before he could be allowed to continue constructing a shopping mall in the area.
The source disclosed that the man refused to part with the undisclosed amount allegedly demanded by the boys, which led members of the movement to descend on him.
It attracted the traders who revolted over the menace of the boys in the market.
However, when news of the attack on the trader filtered into the market, the traders went on rampage, in search of MASSOB members.
They made bonfire before they stormed MASSOB office along Onitsha-Owerri Road and demolished it. When Journalist visited the scene, traders in their thousands were still busy pulling the MASSOB office down while joint Army/Police patrol vehicles were stationed along the road to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who spoke through the Director of Information, Uchenna Madu condemned the attack on the traders by the members of the movement and apologised that the boys did not act on instruction.
Chief Uwazuruike said the Director of Security, Emeka Timebomb and other officials of MASSOB in the area have been suspended for the act, adding that the movement shall no longer tolerate any further harassment of traders on the guise of MASSOB.
“MASSOB is not in support of any attack on peaceful traders who are also Ndigbo, we have been fighting for the liberation of Igbo nation and not to harass them. So the boys were on their own and the Director of Security in the area has been suspended and we have constituted a high powered committee to investigate the constant attack on the traders by these boys and anybody found wanting must be punished. I am personally apologizing to the traders to remain calm as we shall unravel those behind the act” he said.
When contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incident and said no life was lost while reiterating the efforts of the police in the command to restore peace in the area
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