Several persons are feared wounded by gunshots around Douglas/Njemanze area of Owerri in Imo State following government’s move to relocate the town’s traditional market, Ekeukwu Owerri.

Witnesses said soldiers are shooting guns and teargas canisters to scare away resisting indigenes who have vowed to stop the market relocation. The state governor, Rochas Okorocha and residents of the state have been at loggerheads after he disclosed plans by his administration to demolish the market due to the serious traffic trading activities that the market causes along the road.

The Eke-Ukwu Owerri market is said to be as old as Owerri, and located just opposite the popular catholic church in Owerri, St. Paul’s. The Imo state government this morning began the demolition of Eke Ukwu market in Owerri the state capital. Armed mobile police officers accompanied government officials that are carrying out the demolition.

A visit to the scene yesterday, traders were seen packing in tears as they reveal that the market is part of their traditional heritage and should not be demolished but instead upgraded to a shopping mall.

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An affected trader reveals.

‘I just paid a non-refundable fee for a shop for 6 months on Thursday, how do I go about this, this is total wickedness and selfishness..I will only leave it for God’