Enugu – Operatives of Enugu State Police command have shot dead a trader protesting the sealing of shops by the the state government at Ogbete Main Market.
Hundreds of traders at the popular market had earlier on Wednesday morning trooped out in protest over the closure of their shops by the state government for failing to open on Monday.Eyewitnesses said that in the course of the protest, Policemen who were mobilized to quell the protest shot and killed one of the protesters. Some other traders sustained gunshot wounds.The state had sealed business outfits that complied with the regular Monday sit-at-home.Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia had in a statement on Tuesday said that the affected shops would not be considered for re-opening until the owners produced tax clearance certificates and other relevant documents.
He said, “The Enugu State Government wishes to commend civil society organisations and residents that took ownership of government’s ban on illegal sit-at-home orders by embarking on peaceful demonstrations in the capital city yesterday. Government commends the participants for their peaceful conduct throughout the demonstrations.
“In previous announcements to the good people and residents of Enugu State, the government had directed business and shop owners to open for normal businesses on Monday and every work day, or have the defaulting business premises and shops sealed. That was exactly what the government did on Monday, July 24, 2023, to enforce its earlier directives.“All businesses that were sealed shall remain sealed for one week, at the end of which they shall provide their current tax clearance certificates and all other relevant revenue documents to enable the state government to review and consider their formal letters for re-opening.
“Again, all considerations start from Friday, July 28, 2023 from 2.00 pm at the Enugu State Capital Development Authority (ECTDA) headquarters.”
Courtesy:corenews.com.ng
