No Live Was Lost During Owerri Market Demolition – Okorocha

Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has debunked reports in the social media that the security operatives shot a stray bullet at one of the traders during the demolition campaign that took place at Ekeukwu Owerri market.

The demolition which some of the traders claimed was untimely without due notice occurred on Saturday in a bid to give some element of sanity to market considering the fact that some illicit activities have been going on the market.

In a statement by his Chief press secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the Governor noted that his government have issued a notice to them before embarking on the demolition of the market.

Besides, he said that they have provided another with a ‘near’ perfect ground as relocation center and appealed to the traders to remain calm and stop blackmailing his administration.

“It has come to our knowledge, the deliberate and Concerted effort being made by some elements who do not love Progress to use the relocation of the Ekeukwu Owerri market, to blackmail the government of
the day and perhaps cause undue tension in the State.

“These people who have refused or failed to appreciate the good of relocating Ekeukwu market Owerri to a more acceptable area have been dishing out rumours upon rumours including rumours of people being shot dead. These are wicked rumours.

“The truth is that the Market is government’s Property and it is the decision of the government to relocate it to a better place and such action could not have led to such incident.

“The Security Personnel around  the market were there to ensure peace and they played that role
professionally.

“We are also aware that before now the hoodlums who have been using the market and
environs as areas of their Operations have been threatening fire and brimstone over the government’s decision to move the market.

“These hoodlums had also embarked on looting which led their being Confronted by some of the traders and it took the timely intervention of the
Security Personnel to restore Order in that part of the market.

“Unfortunately, those who hate progress have gone out with certain disturbing Claims and
have also posted some photographs that have nothing to do with the Owerri issue on the social media just to see if they could discredit the government and the patriotic action taken in the overall interest of the State.

“And Nigerians who have been following events in the State would attest that for almost two
years the government has been announcing its intention to relocate the Ekeukwu Market to a
better place.”