PDP wants Owerri market killings probed

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, must be held responsible for the death of three persons in Eke Ukwu Market following the forcible eviction of traders and is now calling for a probe of the incident.

In a statement issued by the party spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, in Abuja on Sunday, it condemned the use of the police especially when there was an existing court against the demolition of the market.

It said the demolition followed a pattern adopted by All Progressive Congress (APC) governors as a similar thing has happened in Lagos State earlier.

The PDP averred that in as much as it subscribed to the ideals of development and construction, it must be done within the ambit of the law.

The statement read: “We condemn the Forceful Demolition of the Popular Eke Ukwu Market and violent eviction of traders in Owerri by the Imo State Government using men of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies during which three (3) people including a 10 year old child were extra-judicially murdered and several other people were injured.

“This violent eviction is all the more condemnable because it was carried out in violation of a pending Order granted by an Imo State High Court restraining the Imo State Government from demolishing the Market and Evicting the Traders.

“This action, sadly, follows a pattern of the Use of the Apparatus of State Security to forcefully and violently carry out evictions of ordinary Nigerians from valuable property in blatant violation of Court Orders.

“Not very long ago, the Lagos State government ordered the Forceful Eviction of indigent Nigerians from waterfront properties to enable it enter into joint venture agreements for the Construction of luxury apartments.

“Like the Owerri incident, this eviction led to the deaths of at least two (2) people and the Injury of several others, including women and children.

“As much as we acknowledge the deals of Development and the Construction of critical infrastructure, these ideals must be pursued within the confines of respect for the Rule of Law as well as in a humane manner that preserves the dignity of indigent Nigerians while giving them viable and affordable alternatives regarding where to live, grow and trade.

“Unfortunately, the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not recognise such valuable ideals and as such, continues to design, promote and pursue anti-people policies.

“We call for the Immediate Investigation of these extra-judicial murders and for the Culprits to be brought to book.

“Only such an action will give justice to the Dead and discourage the Use of the Police and other security agencies as tools for further oppression of ordinary Nigerians.”