- Traders protest extended closure of Ngwa Road Market, citing severe economic impact on businesses and livelihoods
- Special Adviser assures protesters of reassessment of security measures to restore normal business operations promptly
Traders and shop owners along Ngwa Road in Aba have taken to the Government House in Umuahia to protest the extended closure of Ngwa Road Market. This closure came in the wake of a military operation following the killing of five soldiers at Obikabia Junction by gunmen.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Ikenna Ohanaba stated that commercial activities in the market area have been at a standstill since May 30. This has severely impacted over 50 shops, two shopping plazas, and numerous other businesses.
Ohanaba emphasized that the affected traders had no connection to the incident at Obikabia Junction and are now facing the threat of starvation due to the inability to access their means of livelihood.
Responding to the situation, Chief Nwaka Inem, the Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Trade, Commerce, and Industry, acknowledged the peaceful nature of the protest. He assured the traders that the security situation would be reassessed promptly.
Inem highlighted the necessity of heightened military presence in response to the earlier attack. However, he reassured the protesters that steps were being taken to normalize the situation and restore business activities in the affected area.