PDP Condemns Forceful Demolition Of Eke-Ukwu Market, Violent Eviction Of Traders By Okorocha

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the forceful demolition of the popular Eke Ukwu market and the violent eviction of traders in Owerri, Imo State capital by the Rochas Okorocha-led government using combined team of Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian army and other security agencies.

In a statement signed by Dayo Adeyeye, the party also bemoaned the death of three people including a 10-year-old boy in the course of the violent and illegal eviction, and called for investigations into the extra-judicial murders.

The 10-year-old boy killed by bullet from the Nigerian security operatives during the forceful demolition of Eke-Ukwu market by Rochas Okorocha

Below is the statement:

“We condemn the Forceful Demolition of the Popular Eke Ukwu Market and violent eviction of traders in Owerri by the Imo State Government using men of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies during which three (3) people including a 10 year old child were extra-judicially murdered and several other people were injured.

Demolition of Eke-Ukwu market by Rochas Okorocha

“This violent eviction is all the more condemnable because it was carried out in violation of a pending Order granted by an Imo State High Court restraining the Imo State Government from demolishing the Market and Evicting the Traders.

“This action, sadly, follows a pattern of the Use of the Apparatus of State Security to forcefully and violently carry out evictions of ordinary Nigerians from valuable property in blatant violation of Court Orders. Not very long ago, the Lagos State Government ordered the Forceful Eviction of indigent Nigerians from waterfront properties to enable it enter into joint venture agreements for the Construction of luxury apartments. Like the Owerri incident, this eviction led to the deaths of at least two (2) people and the Injury of several others, including women and children.

Forceful demolition of Eke Ukwu market by Okorocha

“As much as we acknowledge the deals of Development and the Construction of critical infrastructure, these ideals must be pursued within the confines of respect for the Rule of Law as well as in a humane manner that preserves the dignity of indigent Nigerians while giving them viable and affordable alternatives regarding where to live, grow and trade.

“Unfortunately, the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not recognise such valuable ideals and as such, continues to design, promote and pursue anti-people policies.

The 10-year-old boy killed by bullet from the Nigerian security operatives during the forceful demolition of Eke-Ukwu market by Rochas Okorocha

“We call for the Immediate Investigation of these extra-judicial murders and for the Culprits to be brought to book. Only such an action will give justice to the Dead and discourage the Use of the Police and other security agencies as tools for further oppression of ordinary Nigerians.

“May God rest the dead.”

Sister of the 10-year-old boy murdered in cold blood during the forceful demolition of Eke-Ukwu Market by Rochas Okorocha weeps uncontrollably as her brother is gone forever.