Eke Ukwu Owerri! “This Market is a Hide-Out for Kidnappers, Drug Traffickers, and Robbers” – Rochas Okorocha

Amidst the tension generated by the demolition of Eke Ukwu Owerri market by Imo State government, the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has said that the market was a hide out for all sorts of criminals, including kidnappers, drug traffickers and robbers.

Speaking in an interview with Channels television, Okorocha said that all sots of criminality were being haboured in the market, that was one of the major reasons why it had to be relocated.

He said that everyone in the state was happy over the demolition because that was the best thing to do at that moment and it was in the interest of the state.

The governor also said that the state government had informed the traders of the relocation of the market five years ago but the traders were adamant in agreeing to relocate.

Okorocha observed that the state government was demolishing illegal structures in the state and the market was one of them.

Meanwhile it was eported that the state police command denied reports that three people had died in the protest that followed the demolition of of the market, adding that the pictures of corpses posted online were fake.

It could be recalled that three people were alleged to have died following protests that ensued as a result of the demolition exercise. One of them was allegedly killed by a stray bullet while the other two had died in a scuffle between protesting youth.