Relocation: Onitsha market women hold journalists hostage

A mild drama played out last weekend when the newly relocated Vegetable and Fruits market women held journalists including Daily Sun correspondent hostage for several minutes as a way of forcing them to make their position known to the government.

The traders numbering more than hundred had barricaded a spot in the new market behind Power Mike Stadium, Atani Road, Ogbaru near Onitsha, Anambra State and threatened to deal with reporters who dared cross over to their side without hearing and promising to convey their message to the government.

Addressing journalists at the scene, Mrs. Ngozi Chukwu who spoke on behalf of the traders said they are law abiding citizens who complied with the government’s directive to them to relocate to the new market after their sack from their former location in Onitsha popularly known as Afia Coke.

“ Help us ask Governor Obiano whether we committed any crime by abiding by his directive for us to relocate here. This place is very safe and better compared to the former place we were staying before. But we are experiencing poor sales because most of the women have refused to join us. They distract our customers and also divert goods to other places thereby preventing this place from booming.”

The Sun, August 15

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