Not less than ten persons including combined workers of Imo My Pride Task Force and OCDA suffered several degrees of injuries in Owerri, Imo State Capital yesterday during a clash between the government task force team and street traders joined by indigenes of the municipal council.
As part of the continued war against illegal shops and shanties littered across the state capital, the newly inaugurated Imo My Pride Task Force, armed with the power to demolish unauthorized projects moved into Douglas road, the heart of the city where the team encountered stiff resistance from the residents, especially, the street traders and indigenes of Owerri.
Our reporter noted that trouble started when the task force stormed Douglas Road from Ama JK area to commence demolition of illegal structures. As the bulldozers moved in with accompanying workers who used other items to remove illegal structures, indigenes and traders accosted them to stop at the point and move over to Ama Hausa area, where the Hausa settlers also operate illegal structures on the road. The street traders and Owerri indigenes charged the government operators to show neutrality by moving to the Ama Hausa end of Douglas Road having destroyed shops at the other end. They however accompanied the Government task force to the Ama Hausa area for the demolition.
At Ama Hausa, the bulldozers moved in followed by the volunteer force comprising street traders, indigenes and other security and Para Military agencies forcing the Hausa dominated people to resist their advance.
At this point , the youths of Owerri and traders assisted the task force to carry out the demolition insisting that the illegal structures in Ama Hausa must go down as others along Douglas Road have been demolished.
However, the action turned awry when the Ama Hausa people in rejecting the act pulled out dangerous weapons to allegedly attack the demolishing teams. Dangerous weapons were freely used in the fisticuffs leading to people sustaining serious injuries commercial activities were however halted as shops, offices, and banks on Douglas road closed .
Our Reporter recorderd many wounded persons who scampered for safety when the confusion escalated.
Further trouble was again recorded at Mbaise road as the OCDA bulldozer used for the government operation retreated from Ama Hausa area for another demolition exercise there. Their effort was futile when the aggrieved traders there insisted that until Ama Hausa illegal shops and shanties were pulled down completely no part of Owerri Municipality including the Mbaise road will be touched again. The street traders resumed an attack on the task force by throwing heavy stones and dangerous weapons at the operators of the bulldozer who had no option than to retreat to St Paul’s Catholic Church bus stop area. At St Paul’s the task force faced heavy war when a regrouped Ama Hausa people and street traders from Mbaise road clashed with the government team on Douglas road.
Street traders at St Paul’s area also battled the OCDA bulldozers to a stand still leaving the entire area in the turmoil.
Though Trumpeta could not ascertain if any life was lost following high level of skirmishes occasioned by several release of tear gas and anti-riot canisters.
The rowdy situation also created room for hoodlums to have a field day as shops and goods were vandalized and looted.
Addressing journalists the leader of the demolition team, Hon Chief Iyke Okeigboananwa disclosed that his team only came to remove the shanties and shoot-outs in front of shops that are in front of shops that are covering pedestrians ways “any structure that is constructed in front of shops and houses are termed illegal and the task force has the mandate to pull those unauthorized structures down”, Hon Iyke said.
Reacting on the matter, Governor Okorocha through his media aide, Sam Onwuemedo warned that government will deal decisively with anybody or group attempting to frustrate the exercise. According to the state government, its appeal for residents of the state especially the affected persons to give way and desist from attacking the Imo My Pride Task Force, would be viewed with every amount of seriousness.
“Government in the release said “The government wishes to state clearly that it would not take such 1 resistance and confrontation lightly. “The policy of “Imo My Pride” is very dear to the government and must be ensured, since the whole exercise is in the overall interest of the State and the Citizenry.
“The policy is not targeted at anybody or group of persons. It is a policy designed to take the State to the front roll of cleanliness and orderliness in the Country, and no stone would be left unturned to ensure its realization.
“Government wants to also appeal once again for understanding on the part of the people of the State and other residents in the State, especially those affected or who will still be affected by the on-going demolition exercise of shanties and batchers in the City, and the checks now on illegal parks and street trading.
“Government however wishes to warn against any attempt to frustrate the exercise by anybody or any group. This government’s appeal and warning should be viewed with every amount of seriousness. The good Lord will continue to bless Imo people”.
