By: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Delta state government on Friday reacted to what it described as pathetic fallacies and unfounded rumours that Abraka market was destroyed to settle political scores, saying that the market instead of its functions, turned a den for Criminal activities, especially during nigh fall.
Speaking to our Correspondent in Asaba, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Security Matters, Mr Cassidy Illoba said” Abraka came into existence after the Igbo Community in Onitsha, Anambra state chased away the Hausa Community from Onitsha, and the Hausas having moved out of Onitsha, Settled in Abraka market land where they started trading”
Illoba said that the land being vast, also had houses, shops including existing shops and trees, adding that it was under developed until the administration of Chief James Ibori who constructed the vast land into Market where the Hausas settled for all kinds of businesses
It was gathered that vast majority of people within Asaba Community and its environs soon found comfort in the environment which apparently was dominated by the Hausa traders, Unfortunately, turned out to be den during nighfall for Criminal activities and harbinger for unscrupulous elements.
This development, according to Illoba became worrisome to the good people of the state, especially when it was now taken over by hoodlums and Suspected Cultists who during nighfall allegedly rob unsuspecting members of the public at gunpoint, adding”there were series of unfortunate events unfolding at the place where these Hausa traders were doing their business and we also found that hoodlums were allegedly robbing people at the place that was supposed to be market”
“We have also received reports that apart from Criminal activities, hideouts for robbers, prostitution, many Petitions were written to the Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa in regard to the mess the market suddenly turned into and it was very disturbing and embarrassing” Illoba added
But the police commissioner in the state, Hafiz Muhammed Inuwah at a media confrence held few weeks back, said that the market place constituted into den was the alleged conspiracy of fleeing hoodlums from neighbouring state, disclosing that the Police arrested over twenty persons suspected to be of questionable characters and were susbsequently charged to court for various Offences bordering on Criminal activities
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had during inspection visit to the market described the situation as pathetic and unfortunate adding that no responsible government will fold its hands and watch hoodlums Operating in the environment, disclosing that the market was destroyed for obvious threats to lives of the people by Criminal activities and urged the Hausa traders to relocate to Oko Community near the bridge head
Recall that the Asaba Capital Terrority Development Agency DSCTDA, Director General, Mrs Joan Mrakpor and her team had attempted to sack the Hausa traders from the place before the Governor personally mobilized to relocate them, was met with strong resistance when it resulted in the alleged killing of Person during the meele that ensued between the traders and officials of DSCTDA
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