3 others axed in Onitsha: Market leader..

 

ONITSHA — Business activities at Excellent Plaza mini market, near the Onitsha Main Market, were brought to an abrupt end, yesterday, when the leader of the market, Chief John Machi, and three others had their skulls ripped open with axes by armed men believed to be officials of Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA.

According to the source, troubled started when the ASTA officials stormed the mini market located along Sokoto road axis and started to impound traders’ wares, on the grounds that they were enforcing the state government’s ban on street trading in Onitsha.

According to the source, as the officials were impounding the wares, Machi, on a tip-off, rushed to the scene, demanding the reason for the impoundment, making the attackers to use their axes freely on him.

Traders and those whose wares were impounded on seeing that their chairman had been axed, rushed to save him but in the process, three of them were also hit with axes and they became unconscious for a while.

Sensing danger, the officials took to their heels with the impounded wares.

The injured leader was rushed to Waterside Hospital, Onitsha while the three others were taken to undisclosed hospitals.

Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the market, Mr. William Ugwu, said no reason was given by their assailants for impounding their wares and urged Governor Peter Obi to ensure that they were arrested to face the wrath of the law.

On his part, President of Ndigbo Unity Forum, Mr Augustin Chukwudum, expressed surprise at the illegal action of the ASTA officials, adding that its actions amounted to terrorism.

Meantime, the case has been lodged at Central Police Station, Onitsha as some policemen were sighted in the hospital interrogating the chairman. From: Vanguardngr

Senate Committee indicts CP Mba: Rivers Crisis

 

ABUJA —THE Senate ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate the political crisis in Rivers State, has indicted the State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Mbu.

Vanguard gathered that the committee, in the report which will be laid before the Senate today, was however not happy with the way and manner the commissioner handled the problem that led to the leader of the House of Assembly, Michael Chinda and Martins Amahule sustaining injuries.

There was also an attempt in the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree. Following the development, the Senate asked the Committee on States and Local Governments led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, ANPP, Kano South to investigate into the matter and come up with recommendations.

Meanwhile, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will today meet in Abuja.

Vanguard gathered that the governors will discuss among others, the planned Special National Convention, the forthcoming Anambra State election and how the PDP must win