One dead as Enugu traders protest shops closure over sit-at-home ban

Traders in Enugu on Wednesday staged a protest against the sealing off of their businesses by the state government over the non-compliance with the sit-at-home ban.

According to Channels TV, the incident led to the death of a yet-to-be-identified person.

However, according to a statement issued by Chidiebere Onyia, secretary to the state government (SSG), the protest was reportedly infiltrated by hoodlums which led to intervention by security agencies.

The government called for calm, adding that investigations are ongoing to unravel what led to the incident, including the report of the casualty.

“The Enugu state government received with grave concern the ugly incident at Ogbete main market, Enugu, today,” the statement reads.

“Information available to the government shows that traders whose shops were sealed for non-compliance withgGovernment’s order banning Monday sit-at-home defied the instruction on how the shops should be reopened and resorted to self-help by removing the seals. This led to internal squabbles between the market leadership and some of the affected traders.

“The ensuing confrontation resulted in a protest, which was infiltrated and hijacked by dangerously armed hoodlums and miscreants, who broke shops and looted traders’ wares.

“Attempts by security operatives to restore order and prevent further looting were violently resisted by the imported and armed hoodlums. The government is receiving further briefings on the development.

“In the meantime, investigation to unravel the circumstance surrounding the incident, including the reports of casualty, is already ongoing.

“Government calls on the people and residents of Enugu to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, as adequate security measures are in place to secure lives and property in the state.”

TheCable had reported on Monday that the Enugu government sealed two banks and 107 shops for allegedly observing “illegal sit-at-home order” in markets across the state.

The exercise was carried out by officials of the state government and the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).