But for some cautionary measures he applied to escape the wrath of traders of the New Market, Owerri, in the State capital, a different story about the well being of governor Rochas Okorocha would have been told on Wednesday.
The governor who missed a mob attack by whiskers has to thank God for escaping dangerous stones and pure water flung at him by traders at the new market area of Owerri. Okorocha who gave the traders at the New Market, at the Emmanuel College end of Douglas Road, to quit before Friday 15 December 2017, or face demolition got what he didn’t bargain when he visited the area on Wednesday.
Oblivious of the fact that the traders have been nursing grievance over his decisions to demolish the market and relocate them to another area, visited the area, but met flying objects like stones and pure water.
Trumpeta was informed that trouble started when Okorocha visited to address the leadership of the traders union. On spotting his convoy, the traders went berserk and moved after him. Apart from multiple boos and jeers that trailed his entry, dangerous items like stones and motor parts were thrown at him. In the process, the vehicles and persons in the convoy were hit by the missiles. It was even learnt that the objects went close to remove the cap of the governor before he retreated to a safe distance and ordered the convoy to scamper for safety.
Trumpeta learnt that the traders were irked when Okorocha told them about his desire to offer them N100,000 to cater for the roof of their new building at Avu location for mechanic and motor spare parts traders.
Immediately the governor was harassed. He fled the area leaving behind all manner of earth moving machines who have started the demolition of the market. To start the exercise, the roads leading into the market from Douglas Road have been cut off by a deep gutter created by the caterpillars. Next is the demolition of the market structures which eye witnesses account said has commenced.
In a similar incident, fresh crisis erupted around the demolished Eke Ukwu market where youths of Owerri again clashed with government agents over digging of big gullies to cut of roads from Douglas Road.
Affected are Rotobi, School Road and Ekeonunwa where government sponsored bulldozers came to dig big gutters that would make the roads impossible from Douglas Road. Youths of Owerri attempted to disrupt the action but met stiff resistance from government bulldozers backed by security agencies.
Trumpeta was informed that gun shots from security agencies were fired to scare away the protesting youths.
It could not be ascertained as at press time if any life was lost as a result of the fist cuffs that trailed the fresh crisis.
