Crisis Brews In Enugu State Market As Nigerian Army Personnel Harass, Brutalise Traders

Tensions have escalated in the recently established Enugu International Building Materials Market, also referred to as New Kenyatta, Ugwuaji, in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

This unrest stems from ongoing incidents of brutality and humiliation inflicted upon traders by the soldiers assigned to guard the market.

To stem the ugly development, stakeholders in the market, have called on the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of Nigeria Army, asking for a redress, warning that such abuses might result in confrontation and protests.

When SaharaReporters visited the market on Wednesday, the presence of soldiers and policemen in the market was observed.

The soldiers were brought to the market by developers probably to guard the market and protect their interests.

However, traders who spoke to SaharaReporters disclosed that the soldiers had overstepped their bounds as they now molested and humiliated traders at will wondering whether it was the reason they were brought in the first place.

A trader, who pleaded anonymity said: "Since we relocated to this market last year, soldiers have been the ones guarding the market. But, recently the soldiers have resorted to brutalising the traders and often openly humiliate people on account of what they consider as insubordination or something.

"We have a rule that the market must close by 6 pm. But you know that usually, what we used to do is those who leave the market after 6 pm, pay certain fines to the security committee in the market.

"But the soldiers have since taken it upon themselves to be flogging people who were not able to close shops before 6pm. Heavy brutality is what people are facing in the hands of the soldiers.

"Again, last week Thursday, a trader having running stomach had gone to the unoccupied shops towards the end of the market to ease himself. But one of the soldiers saw him and started flogging him like a criminal, stripped him and still forced him to use his bare hands to pack the mess.

"The soldier was not done yet, he still paraded the trader within the market with the shit in his bare hands above his head. He ensured the trader stood in the road with the mess in his hands for over one hour. This is the worst humiliation anyone can face".

The trader disclosed that they had asked their market leaders to find out why the soldiers should continue to be allowed to be in the market place, "but the developers insisted that the soldiers were brought at their own instance. I want to let you know that the way the soldiers are going, they would one day kill someone in the market and you can't guarantee what will be the consequences because the traders are really angry".

"There is nobody in this market who is a miscreant. But the soldiers keep treating people as if we are ordinary touts. Unfortunately, all the people we elected to lead us in the market seem to be comfortable with the way the soldiers are brutalizing us at any slightest provocation.

"They would always threaten to shoot anyone who complains openly to them. So, if nothing is done this early, they will kill someone here one day and possibly tag the person as a criminal or IPOB ESN as they always do,” another trader said.

"So, I'm calling on the developers and the commander 82 Division of Nigerian Army to act fast before these soldiers will turn our peaceful market place slaughterhouses".

All efforts to reach the developers or market leaders for reaction were unsuccessful.

But the spokesman of the 82 Division of Nigeria Army, Enugu, Major Eromosele Unuakhalu said he would find out and respond appropriately.

His message read: "Good morning. I will find out and get back to you", but as at the time of filing this report, he was yet to get back.