The Owerri Community Assembly, OCA has listed victims of the Eke Ukwu Owerri market.
In a statement signed by Felix Ngoka, Chairman,Owerri Community Assembly OCA and Chinedu Akuchie, who claims of be “Chairman Owerri Municipal Emeritus” narrated events that took place on the day of the demolition of the market.
The statement reads:
“Saturday 26th August 2017 at about 5am in the morning, the Government of Imo State mobilized Military Men, Police, Imo Security Network and other Security Operatives, including Armed Militants from Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta L.G.A s who were invited by their brother Kingsley Uju Deputy Chief of Staff and Ichie Uche Mbalaso the Chairman Committee on Market relocation, Imo State.
“They came with armoured vehicles, excavators, pair loaders and began to demolish Eke-Ukwu Market and other structures along Douglas Road, against a Subsisting Order of Court that restrains the government from carrying out any demolition, particularly at Eke-Ukwu Market. While the demolition was going on, these militants that came with them were also engaged in looting, extorting, and assaulting innocent citizens. Any attempt by any individual to resist their criminal acts was met with further brutality. Some individuals died in that process and the military men carried their corpses into their Hilux Van to unknown destination to cover the evidence of their heinous crime. At this point the masses revolted and began to throw stones at them and they opened fire at the public, shooting sporadically with life bullets including teargas canisters. The incident can be better described as an execution of a well articulated invasion on the Owerri people under the guise of market demolition.
“Consequently many more people were injured, many were shot dead whom the military also carried their corpses. As at 2pm on Saturday, there were bullet wounded casualties in many hospitals in Owerri, 8 casualties were lying in FMC Owerri, 7 were critically injured; one of them was already in comma, while Somtochukwu Ibeanusi a boy of 10yrs was shot dead. The shooting continued afterwards and the number of casualties increased.
“At the moment there is an attempt by the State Government to secretly carry the corpse of the 10year old boy shot by the military men and bury to cover any evidence of his death.
“Presently the above named gun-shot victims are still lying critically at FMC Owerri where they are receiving medical attention.
(1) Michael Ibeawuchi
No. 7 Ekeonunwa Street, shot at his head and hand.
(2) Chinedu Ibeawuchi
No. 9 Ekeonunwa Street, shot at his chest and leg.
(3) Chukwuemeka Samuel
No. 35A Oparanozie Street, shot at the chest
(4) Sabastine Oparaku
Douglas/Njemanze Street shot at the head
(5) One Ifeanyi Osuji lying unconscious, shot at the waist
(6) Somtochukwu Ibeanusi
No. 23 Oguamalam Street, lying dead in the mortuary, shot at the head
(7) Leonard Osuji
No. 31 Okorie Street, shot at the laps
(8) One unidentified, unaccompanied young man shot at the head, lying unconscious and couldn’t disclose his identity.
Signed:
CHIEF. FELIX NGOKA
President General
Owerri Community Assembly
HON. CHINEDU AKUCHIE
Local Govt. Chairman (Emeritus)
Owerri Municipal Area Council