Anambra Shoe Dealers’ Market in Turmoil as Thugs Attack Traders

The Anambra Shoe Dealers’ Market in Onitsha was thrown into chaos on Monday following an invasion by suspected thugs, during which several traders were allegedly brutalized.

Traders operating under the Emordi Shoe Dealers Association condemned the incident, describing the attack as barbaric and unprovoked.

According to information gathered, the thugs stormed the market and assaulted traders, leaving some with serious injuries. A video circulating on social media shows traders with visible injuries, allegedly inflicted by the attackers said to be acting on the instruction of a former chairman of the association, Nwabueze Umeh.

A trader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that Umeh has continued to instigate unrest in the market since his tenure as chairman ended several years ago. The source claimed that Umeh previously clashed with his immediate successor and has since targeted the current chairman, Okwudili Anigbogu.

Anigbogu’s election was reportedly supervised by authorities of the Onitsha South Local Government Area. However, the source alleged that Umeh claimed the election had been annulled by Governor Charles Soludo through the governor’s Personal Assistant on Markets.

“There was no official communication from the government to support that claim,” the trader said. “Shortly after, thugs, alongside some members of a state security outfit known as SASA, invaded the market and began attacking our members.”

The trader further alleged that the assailants made away with goods belonging to some of the victims. He also accused the group of unlawfully arresting and detaining people without handing them over to the police.

According to the source, Umeh allegedly prevented traders from recording the incident and confiscated several mobile phones during the attack. Some of the phones were reportedly destroyed on the spot.

The trader claimed the ongoing conflict is linked to alleged land dealings during Umeh’s tenure. He alleged that land allocated by the government for the market’s expansion was hijacked and sold as private property.

“His successor took the matter to court to recover the land, and the current chairman has vowed to continue the legal process. That is why he has continued to cause trouble,” the trader alleged.

Following the incident, traders appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene to prevent a breakdown of law and order and possible loss of lives.

It was gathered that the incumbent chairman and other injured traders are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals across the state.