By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Traders in North Bank market, Makurdi, have called on Governor Hyacinth Alia, led administration to direct security operatives to stop persistent attacks and disruption of the market activities by armed criminals.
Chairman of the market, Mr Godwin Achu, who spoke to Daybreak on grounds of anonymity in an exclusive interview, lamented the continued attacks on them by unidentified gunmen who storm the market any time they want, stressing that this is causing fear and tension among traders.
” Since I assumed office, there have been attacks from hoodlums, perpetrating the market, snatching handsets from our traders. Sometimes they even shot at any trader who refuses to handover his or her handset to them.
“I remember one Sadique, was shot because he refused handing over his handset to them. Attempts were made to also kill one mairuwa, I hurriedly invited security agents who came and rescued the person, if not we would have recorded more than one or two deaths.”
According to the Chairman, these nefarious acts have been reported to the office of the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the area to take drastic action against the perpetrators of the dastardly acts to enable traders operate without fears.
He appealed to the Governor of Benue State Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, to direct security operatives to secure lives and property in the market, as well as go after the hoodlums to pursue them out of the market for business to thrive.
Mr Achu continued: ” The earlier government sees to it to empower this youths and then cause them to desist from these acts the better for the future of Benue State”, he admonished.
