BOKOHARAM : Market Activities Put On Hold At Anambara

All the main markets in Anambra state were shut
on Thursday, July 9, for the second time in two
weeks, following a protest by the traders.
This is against the backdrop of the relocation of 47
Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia prison in the
state.
Likewise in Enugu state, all the markets, including
the multi-billion naira Ogbete main market,
Kenyatta market and Gariki market were shut
down. This was in compliance with the directive of
the South East Amalgamated Traders Association.
The Enugu traders were however, prevented from
protesting because of the presence of security
officials stationed in and around all the markets
and strategic areas of the state.
The other development on Thursday, July 7, was
the issuing of a statement by all markets
presidents general of the 177 communities in the
state. The statement described the transfer of the
insurgents to the prison as a rude shock and an
embarrassment.
Meanwhile, traders from outside Anambra, who
arrived early in Onitsha for business, were
surprised when the traders’ security operatives
told them that all markets in the South-East region
were shut down, in order to press home their
demand for the relocation of the Boko Haram
prisoners.
Some traders, who were not aware of the directive
came early to open their shops. They were
however, told to return home by the market
security personnel.
On the other hand, street traders were not affected
by the closure. In Awka, the state’s capital, some
traders challenged the security operatives for
forcing them to close their markets. However,
order was restored following arguments between
the security personnel and the traders, after which
security men allowed the traders to display their
wares.
The president of Anambra state Amalgamated
Traders Association (ASMATA), later led a
delegation of traders to Ekwulobia, where they
would start the protest.
After a deliberation by the traders in Awka, the
presidents general stated that: “We believe with
every sense of responsibility that transferring these
violent religious bigots and fundamentalists to
Ekwulobia, was ill-conceived, ill-considered,
grossly insensitive, condemnable and therefore
totally unacceptable.”
An explosion which occurred on Thursday, July 9,
in Kofare area of Adamawa state, has sent more
fears into the heart of the South-Easterners.