The Enugu state chapter of the Labour Party, LP, has expressed sadness over the death of some traders during a protest that erupted today in the state.
In his verified facebook handle, the state chairman of the party, Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo on Wednesday, said the party commiserates with the families of those who lost their loved ones during the protest.
“LP Enugu State hereby condole with families of those who lost their beloved ones today due to happy trigger policemen and the recklessness of state Policy.”
Thousands of traders at the popular Ogbete Market in Enugu State took to the streets to protest the sealing of their shops and business centers by Governor Peter Mbah led administration.
Mr. Mbah who had earlier banned Sit-at-home order in the state declaring it “illegal” had on Monday ordered that all shops and business centers which failed to open for businesses be sealed off.
Carrying out the order by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECDA, led by the Secretary to the state government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the agency sealed several shops and business centers that did not open.
Mixed reactions have continued to trail this development as many people described the ‘order’ as violation of the fundamental human rights of the people.
The protesters who expressed shock over what they described as “ill adviced order” from the governor in a time government should be assisting the masses to cushion the effects of the hardship being experienced by Nigerians, called on Governor Peter Mbah to reverse the order and unseal their shops.
The market men and women had thronged major streets in the metropolis calling on the state government to urgently review the order.
They sang solidarity songs, causing traffic gridlock for hours on the popular streets of Ogui Rd, Coal Camp and some parts of New Haven.
However, the protest was said to have turned violent, with at least three persons reportedly shot dead.
Video clips show lifeless bodies of two young men and that of a lady.
Security forces were said to have been deployed to disperse the protesters. It is, however, unclear who fired the shots.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement made available to journalists, said normalcy has been restored.
The police spokesman said the peaceful protest by the traders was hijacked.
Ndukwe said: “Normalcy has been restored at Ogbete Market Enugu and its surroundings, following the report of protest by some traders over the sealing of their shops by the State Government and their attempt to force others, whose shops were not sealed, to close theirs and the entire market closed.
“The initially peaceful protest was hijacked and made to become violent.
“Traders in the market and citizens alike have been pleaded with to remain law-abiding, peaceful and cooperative, while using approved channels to express their grievances.
“Full-scale investigation has been initiated on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, while further development, especially as it concerns reports of casualties being circulated, will be communicated as soon as possible, please.”
