…says the Nkwo Market Agulu demolition involved officials of the State Physical Planning Board.
Agulu, Nigeria — The iNews Times, reports that the Nkwo Market Agulu demolition triggered a peaceful protest by community leaders and traders over the destruction of newly constructed building materials lockup shops in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Community leaders and shop owners on Saturday staged a peaceful protest over the Nkwo Market Agulu demolition involving a section of new building materials lockup shops.
The protesters marched across the market axis displaying placards bearing inscriptions such as “Soludo help shop owners,” “Peter Obi help us,” “Shop owners are dying,” and “Soludo come and save Agulu people,” among others.
Speaking with newsmen, President General of the community, Sir Emmanuel Ibeneme, alleged that the Nkwo Market Agulu demolition involved officials of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board.
“Some people came from the physical planning board to destroy the shops. I was called and came to stop the caterpillar that was pulling down the structures,” he said.
Regretting the action carried out on Wednesday, Ibeneme said community leadership had initiated moves to ensure an amicable resolution.
Chairman of Nkitaku village, Basil Emegwamuo, alleged that the demolition was executed by Damian Obi, a sibling of Peter Obi, using force and intimidation over land-related disputes.
Although he acknowledged that ANSPPB had issued a 14-day demolition notice, he expressed concern that the Nkwo Market Agulu demolition was carried out before the expiration of the ultimatum.
Emegwamuo added that the state government had directed relocation of Nwagu Building Material Market to Nkwo Market to ease congestion in the Nwagu Agulu axis.
“We have paid ANSPPB for approval of the building. We are not constructing illegally, only that approval has not yet been granted,” he said, appealing to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for intervention.
Also speaking, Youth Chairman of the community, Eric Mmaduagwu, lamented that the demolition occurred before the notice elapsed, noting that the Mayor of Anaocha LGA, Hon. Rom Ibekwe, had promised swift intervention.
A stakeholder and Chairman of Agulu People’s Union, South Africa, Frank Anyaeche, described the Nkwo Market Agulu demolition as inhumane and inconsistent with the state government’s development philosophy.
He urged the governor to provide relief for affected traders to prevent further hardship and emotional distress.
