Soldiers shut Imo market, ask traders to stay away ‘until Biafra is achieved’
Some soldiers on Tuesday stopped traders at the timber and building material market in Orlu, Imo state, from opening for business.
A trader in the market who chose to remain anonymous confirmed the development to TheCable.
“They prevented people from opening their shades, mainly timber market and building material,” he said.
A source told TheCable that the traders were not allowed to open their shops because they closed operations on Monday in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who was meant to appear at a federal high court in Abuja.
The soldiers were said to have asked the traders to “stay at home until Biafra Republic is attained” before they can resume their trading activities.
When contacted on the development, Mike Abatem, police spokesperson in Imo, said he cannot speak on the matter. He said questions should be directed to the army spokesperson in the state.
Babatunde Zubiruo, spokesperson, 34 artillery brigade command in Imo, abruptly ended a telephone conversation with TheCable after the issue was raised. Subsequent text messages sent to his phone received no response.
Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony brought against him by the federal government over his campaign for the Republic of Biafra.
He was released in April 2017 on health grounds but jumped bail after flouting some of the conditions given to him by the court.
Kanu was re-arraigned before Binta Nyako of the federal high court in Abuja on June 29 after being intercepted and extradited to Nigeria. His trial was adjourned till July 26 for a hearing.
The trial has now been adjourned till October 21, owing to the failure of the federal government to produce him in court on Monday.
What an intimidation is there any war in the market? Are the soldiers paying for their shops God this is unacceptable.
Each year, the Nigerian Defence Ministry presents its budget proposal to the NASS for approval.
Members of the NASS from Imo State should lobby their colleagues from other states and get them not to approve the ministry’s budget, as a protest against the unconstitutional and primitive behaviour of Nigerian soldiers towards Nigerians.
That duty is within the purview of an enlightened NASS to educate the Nigerian soldier about the proper and acceptable rules of engagement while dealing with the public. In civilised societies, soldiers are hardly seen or heard, while the “big man” public servant who engages in a public fracas does so at the risk of his job and reputation.
This crime of brutality and disrespect of the civilians as displayed by Nigerian soldiers towards the Nigerian civil populace has been allowed to go on for too long, and it is time the NASS criminalise the use of the phrase “bloody civilian” while addressing a civilian citizen of Nigeria and bring to an end other malfeasant behaviours of the Nigerian soldier in public that tarnish our image. It is unprofessional and goes to show how primitive we have chosen to remain.
It is one of the reasons the civilian population no longer accord our military the moral support it requires during their engagement with the enemy. Imagine the civilian addressing the soldier as “smelly stockings.”
They don’t have such powers, the traders are taxpayers and has the right to protest against any government policy or action. Our military should no be used by failed politician as an instrument to oppress citizens.
they have pitched their tent with Kanu so why should they be allowed to return.. when Biafra is achieved they can resume operations..