..Demand Obiano’s intervention
From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
Traders and residents of Onitsha, Anambra State have cried out to Governor Willie Obiano to intervene and stop activities of touts who allegedly claim to be members of Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra and Biafra Independent Movement (MASSOB-BIM).
It was gathered that the boys wielded weapons to carry out their unlawful acts of collecting fees along Bidda Road, Sokoto Road of Onitsha Main market and at some bus stops at Upper Iweka, Lagos Park and Bridgehead.
Those who spoke with Daily Sun lamented the activities of theose he described as touts who forcefully collect money ranging from N100, N200 or more from traders and residents of Onitsha in the name of ‘land money’ for loads or goods bought in the market.
While narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Ngozi Chiemena said she was forced to give them N200 when they wanted to carry her goods where she was waiting for a carriage truck to take it to the park.
“As I was standing, about four boys came and brought out one ticket that they are MASSOB-BIM that I should pay for land where I packed my goods.
“They didn’t want me to talk, the other two boys shouted that I should not waste their time or they will carry some of my goods, so, I had no choice than to give them the money.”
Another resident, Mr. Chijioke Obiora, lamented the activities of the touts who visited places that had building construction or repairs and borehole drilling activities ongoing to collect money or they will destroy things or forcibly seize equipment without delay.
“I’m calling on governor Obiano to help us in Onitsha. We are being extorted everyday, if you go to market, they collect land money, if you are doing any renovation or repairs in your building they will come.
“The money I know does not go to government’s purse. They are ready to fight or destroy any of your items or carry one thing or the other if you refuse to pay. They collected N500 from me the other time, they don’t have fixed amount,” Obiora stated.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha Mr. Egbochukwu Ikechukwu, a Superintendent of Police when contacted said he was new in the area but promised to tackle the issue when he settled down.