Okorocha convenes security meeting, insists no casualty at market demolition

Governor Rochas Okorocha

• PDP, APGA, Labour party, others commiserate with victims

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday convened a security meeting at Government House, Owerri to chart a new cause for the protection of lives and property in the state.

At the meeting, presided over by the governor and attended by the state service chiefs and government officials, he restated that no one was killed during last week’s demolition of the Ekeukwu Owere Market.

He said the meeting became necessary to review the security situation in the state and chart the way forward. “I wish to reiterate that the relocation of Ekeukwu Market has been politicised by the Imo elite who were behind the false rumours because they think that would enhance their political advantage in the 2019 election.

“The Security Council also reaffirmed that nobody was killed in Ekeukwu during the demolition and those who are claiming that people were killed were merely carrying false rumours.

“If anyone knows of anybody who was killed during the demolition, they should show evidence of the victims,” he said. Okorocha added that the demolition of Ekeukwu would end cultism and Ar.med r0bbery, insisting there is no day that passes without an Ar.med r0bbery At-tack there.

He stressed that the exercise was a continuous one, saying, “New market will also be relocated. They have been given time within which to relocate. We must make Imo better.”

In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ararume Club, and the Labour Party have commiserated with the victims of the market demolition.

After their visit to the family of the late Somtochukwu Ibeanusi and some injured persons at the hospitals, the Nnamdi Anyaehie faction of the PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Enyinna Onuegbu, directed that the party’s flag on 47, Okigwe Road, Owerri, to be flown at half mast for seven days.

He added that they would also hold a prayer session for God’s intervention in the affairs of the state.After visiting the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, the state chairman of the APGA, Peter Ezeobi, said the party visited the medical centre to commiserate with those who were injured and have been receiving treatment.

Labour Party chairman, Ikechukwu Akujiobi, said little Somtochukwu’s death came to them as a rude shock.Meanwhile, clashes between youths of Ohaji in Ohaji Council and Owerri Municipal, continued yesterday in spite of the intervention of the police.

While the Owerri youths were protesting the alleged engagement of the Ohaji youths in guarding the demolished Ekeukwu Market, the Ohaji youths were protesting the alleged killing of two of their colleagues.The state Police Command, however, deployed officers to strategic location to curb escalation of the crisis.

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