One Killed , Three Vehicles Burnt In Onitsha Crisis Today

     This Picture is that of the burnt Lorry
 

Confusion and chaos best described the situation in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra state and environs following two riots at the Old Motor Spare Parts, Mgbuka Obosi along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway and the Upper Iweka-Niger Head Bridge.

Three vehicles were allegedly burnt during the melee, one trailer at Upper Iweka and two vehicles at Mgbuka , Obosi by traders. The entire roads were blocked as at press time while mobile police men have been drafted to the scene.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incidents and said that no life was lost during the riots while disclosing that the situation had been put under control by the policemen.

Upper Iweka riot The Nation learnt was caused when a trailer driver and his conductors from Northern Nigeria allegedly abducted a staff of the Anambra State Transport Agency, ASTA at Ihiala in Ihiala council area of the state.

Reports had it that the driver of the trailer was flagged down by the deceased at a check-point in Ihiala and the driver refused to stop which led to the ASTA operative to jump into the trailer and the driver immediately zoomed off.

They later killed him along the road without knowing that a motorcyclist observed what happened.

The cyclist followed them behind until the trailer got to Upper Iweka and raised alarm, following the search on the vehicle and the slain body of the ASTA man was found leading to a mob action. The driver and his men escaped but the trailer was allegedly burnt. 

Another witness on anonymity said “the driver is Hausa man, he was stopped by the ASTA people and he refused, they tried to use other means to stop him when he tried to stop, the ASTA man then jumped into the trailer to direct the driver to clear off the road. When the man noticed that the ASTA man had entered, he zoomed off immediately. It was at that point that other members of the team started making calls until the driver was intercepted at the Head bridge on his way to cross the bridge, when the vehicle was searched, they discovered the lifeless body of the ASTA man with his hands tied behind him and fresh blood gushing out from his mouth and other parts of the body he sustained injuries”.

 It was said that the intervention of Nigerian Soldiers nipped lynching the driver and his co to death even as the burn vehicle was said to be by MASSOB over the impunity of the driver.  

The tension has made non natives especially Hausa residents in Onitsha scampering for safety by closing their businesses and fleeing into Asaba, the capital of Delta state while others were seen taking refuge at various police stations and 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha.

But at the Mgbuka market along Onitsha-Owerri road Obosi, human and vehicular movements were delayed for hours when traders blocked the major road in protest against the alleged highhandedness of the leadership of the market.  

The Nation had reported that Mgbuka market had remained closed on alleged orders of the chairman of the market, Mr. Ifeanyi Okafor who alleged that members of MASSOB had threatened to take over the market and collect revenue from the market.

The Old Motor Spare Parts, Mgbuka had been closed since 3^rd January, 2013, had remained closed which led to yesterday’s riot when traders trooped out of the market, blocked the high way, making bonfire and disrupting both human and vehicular movements for several hours before security operatives arrived the scene.

Reacting to the allegation, the MASSOB Director of Information, Uchenna Madu denied MASSOB involvement in the traders’ riot at Onitsha-Owerri road, adding that it was purely traders’ affairs who he said had been deprived of means of their livelihood by the leadership of the market.

Madu also called on the state government to look into the cause of the riot and bring those behind the violent protests to book while calling on their members and Ndigbo to remain calm over the alleged killing of the ASTA operative by the Hausa driver.

But the Chairman South-East Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dede Uzor U. Uzor  said three vehicles were burnt but condemned the MASSOB involvement in the crisis at Mgbuke market alleging that MASSOB’s was behind the closure of the Mgbuke market sequel to its insistence on collection tolls in the Market.

Uzor said that MASSOB I Enugu, Imos and other states are violent free but that of Onitsha are violent and demanded an apology from MASSOB Leader Ralphs Uwazuruike for not containing the activities of his men which has been infiltrated by miscreants.  He alleged that the Chairman of Mgbuke Old Motor Spare Parts , Mr Ifeanyi Okafor escaped being assassinated by alleged MASSOB members led by their leader warning tat MASSOB has no rights over levies in the market and should face their agitation

He said the Police and other security agencies have failed in intelligence policing and therefore should wake up to the challenges of nipping crimes in bud before manifestation.

Commander 302 Artillery regiment Onitsha, Col Anwal Jubril Faggae was quoted as confirming the incident, but said the situation had been brought under control.  

Onitsha zone ASTA commander, Mr. Obinna Ajaegbu could not be reached as at press time.

  

Northerners were seen at Central Police Station (CPS) Onitsha taking refugee to avert a possible revenge from the angry mob even as the Bridge-Head area of Onitsha which used to be a beehive of activities by northern traders and artisans was deserted.