A well-known marketplace along SARS Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has been closed following the murder of a man named Ejike by a group of meat vendors, reportedly from the North, stemming from a dispute over N500.
Witnesses at the Obio/Akpor International Market, commonly referred to as Amaechi Market, informed our correspondent on Tuesday that the assailants, who numbered over 20, stabbed Ejike multiple times with daggers.
Some traders in the market, primarily women, expressed their fear of intervening, mentioning that a yet-to-be-identified individual who attempted to save Ejike was also stabbed in the ribs and is currently in critical condition in a hospital.
Our correspondent found out that, angered by the incident, the women began organizing a protest on Monday at the Obio/Akpor council headquarters to voice their concerns and fears, urging the council chairman to take action.
The protesting women expressed that they no longer felt safe in the marketplace due to the violent behavior of the vendors, whom they also accused of engaging in illegal drug activities behind the market.
One unidentified woman stated, “One man has lost his life, and the person who tried to help Ejike is now in a coma in the hospital. These people need to leave our market so that peace can be restored. Now, because of this incident, the market has been shut down.
“We desire peace. Since Sunday, women have been crying over the stabbing of this young man. More than 20 people confronted him. It started over a minor issue, and they began chasing him. He fell, and they continued to stab him. It happened on a Sunday, so not everyone was present in the market. They were arguing over N500.”
Another trader, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions, said, “When we close up for the day, sometimes we return to find our belongings missing. They break our shops and steal from us. We no longer want them in this market. They sell drugs behind the market and engage in various crimes. We request that the government assist us in removing them from the market because we do not feel safe.”
The market chairman, C.P. Oburu, who was informed of the incident while attending church, told PUNCH Metro that Ejike was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
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He said, “When I received the call during church, I rushed to the crime scene and found that he (Ejike) had no signs of life. The doctor confirmed he was dead when we took him to the hospital.
“After that, we approached the police. I met with the Divisional Police Officer, who instructed us to take the body to the morgue and provided us with a patrol team. We returned to the market. This morning, the market women held a protest at the council.”
He confirmed that the local government and police had subsequently sealed the market and made some arrests, stating that the market would remain closed until further notice.
“We encountered each other at the council meeting, where the chairman of the local government assured us he would take swift action to address the situation and apprehend those involved. He dispatched officers from the police, anti-cultism unit, and civil defense. Some arrests have been made, and the area is now calm. Currently, the market is closed until further notice.”
When reached for comment on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, verified the incident but stated that the identities of the offenders are unknown.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, also confirmed that one individual lost their life in the event, mentioning that the police acted quickly to prevent any further violence, while she did not comment on any arrests made.
She stated: “The victim was attacked with a knife by unknown individuals. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has already sent tactical units to secure the market and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. An investigation is currently underway.”
