Traders shutdown Benue morden market over alleged persistent cars stealing 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Traders at the popular Makurdi Modern Market in Benue State, on Tuesday shut down the market  over what they called” incessant cases of car stealing” in the market.

The traders have alleged that car stealing has become order of the day with no arrest made, calling on government to launch extensive investigations into multiple reports of stolen vehicles in the Market.

When our correspondent, visited the market, the main entrance gate was  locked while marketers including the police and the other security taskforce were seen outside the market discussing the situation.

Many people who came to buy one or two things were seen stranded as they could not access the market to purchase goods.

The traders insisted that they would not open the market for businesses for the next two days just to register their grievances over the constant and persistence stealing of vehicles and other items in the market by suspected thieves.

One of the traders who identified himself as Mazi Ezenna, told journalists that there is no day passes by  that the market union would not receive report of car theft.

He further stated that traders were no longer conformable with the situation, having drawn the attention of the conventional security agents and ministry of industry, trade and investment with no action taken.

“We are tired of complaining this issue of insecurity in the market. There is no security  at all. We have spoken to the government through the State ministry of industry. Just imagine, between September to November 1, no fewer than six vehicles  have been stolen from the market. Customer will drive his or her vehicle to the market, parked it to go purchase goods, the next thing, the car is no longer there.

“We, traders have lost so many cars this year in the market. So, we have decided to stay off the market for two days to enable us think of what next to do and for Government to provide security in and around the market. We can’t be losing our goods all the time and customers  continue to have their cars stolen”, Ezenna said.

Reacting to development, the honourable commissioner for industry, trade and investment, Mr. Orpin Alumo, said the ministry was not aware of the situation, saying that the traders union only communicated to his  office about their intention to  embark on fasting and prayers with no specific date and time.

Mr. Alumo admitted that there is security lapses in the Market, stating that the ministry is already  taken step to address the situation.

He explained that although he has received complaints that stealing has increased in the market, but government is working in synergy with the traders union and other relevant stakeholders to curb the situation.

According to him, is  unfortunate that the traders could embarked this silent protest without properly notify the ministry.

“We have had meeting with officials of the union and other relevant  stakeholders in my office and we did agreed on cooperation even though government has not been able to live up to expectations by not regularly paying stipends to those taskforce engaged to work in the market. However, the traders must understand that security is everybody’s business and so they too, need to join hand.

“I still emphasize here, that I suspect a case of sabotage because no date and time for their praying and fasting was stated in the  letter. And when I got the letter I still call on the chairman of the union to come with his officials for a meeting with management of the ministry so that we can understand what exactly is the problem.

“However, we have liaise with the special adviser to the governor on security and he has agreed to deploy men of the community volunteers guards to the market”, Alumo said.

He appealed to the traders  to show more understanding and cooperate with the State government as the ministry has proposed plans and waiting for the governor’s total rehabilitation and overhauling of the market.