Ikoku Spare Parts Traders Appeal For Protection, Say Lives In Danger

The controversy surrounding the eviction notice served spare parts traders at Ikokwu Port Harcourt appears to be unabating as leaders of the market allege threats to their lives.

The leaders of Ikokwu Spare Parts Traders Union on Friday raised alarm over alleged threats to their lives by those claiming ownership of the land.

The Chairman of the Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers, High Chief Anthony Iwu Alaliboiregh, in an interview with journalists said that since the deputy leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Loolo Dinebari, on Sunday brought bulldozers to demolish the market but was chased out by the traders, their lives have been in constant danger, as they receive countless telephone death threats from strange individuals.

The Chairman said hoodlums have trailed some of the leaders of the traders to their houses and fired gunshots at them.

He said the union had written petition to the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services in Rivers State to intervene and save their lives.

Alaliboiregh emphasized that the traders are not disputing the ownership of the said potions of Ikokwu market, but are only asking to be given time to vacate the market and relocate to another place to continue trading.

Recall that on the 2nd of September 2020, the leaders of the union said the Rivers State Government had intervene in the hasty eviction and demolition notice given to the traders and had agreed to give them more time.

The Secretary of Ikokwu motor spare parts union, Nnamdi Amariakwu, had told journalists that the union held a meeting with government representatives who agreed to mediate between them and the investor.

He said at the end of the meeting the government promised to relocate the market to a better place within the shortest possible time.

Mr Chimezie Ekwe, one of the leaders of the Ikokwu spare parts traders told THE WHILSTER “We perceive the said hoodlums might be coming from the Sons of the landlord of the property who they have had series of unfriendly encounter with.

“Also, our recent attack on the Deputy Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly who Allegedly led some hoodlums for demolition of our shops with two bulldozers without notification.

“This are unjust actions and threats to our lives. We call on the State Government and Police to take actions and come to our aid before the matter goes out of proportion.” he said.