For the second time in 13 days, all the major
markets in Anambra State were, yesterday, shut by the leadership of the traders
in protest against the relocation of 47 Boko Haram detainees to Ekwulobia
Prison in Aguata Local Government Area of the state.
Also yesterday, all markets in Enugu including
the multi-billion naira Ogbete main market, Kenyatta market and Gariki market
were shut down in compliance with directive from the South East
Amalgamated Traders Association.
The Enugu traders, having locked up their
shops were, however, unable to march to the streets as demonstrated by some of
their members within the South East region due to the water-tight security
mounted in and around the markets and strategic places in the city.
Yesterday’s closure of the markets came on the
heels of a high powered security meeting in Awka between Governor Wilie
Obiano and an official from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA,
on the possible withdrawal of the Boko Haram detainees from Anambra.
Some of the Onitsha traders, who were unaware
of the closure, came early to open their shops, but were turned back by the
market security personnel.
The closure, however, did not affect those
trading on the streets as they were doing their businesses unmolested.
In Awka however, some traders initially tried
to challenge security operators for forcing them to close the markets, but
order was restored after some heated arguments and they allowed them to display
their wares.
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