From Joseph Uchenna, Makurdi
There has been reported incident of car theft at the Makurdi Modern Market in Benue State resulting in the shutting down of the market on Tuesday.
Traders alleged that incessant car theft has becomevthe 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 transact business 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 (2) days just to register their grievances over the ugly development.
One of the traders who identified himself as Mazi Ezenna, told journalists that every day, the market union receives report of car theft in the market.
He further stated that traders are no longer confortable with the situation, which have been reported to 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. A customer will drive his or her vehicle to the market, park it to go and 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 (2) 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 -the development, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Orpin Alumo, said the ministry is 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 taking step to address the situation.
He explained that although his office has received complaints that stealing has increased in the market, government is working in synergy with the traders union and other relevant stakeholders to curb the trend.
According to him, ‘is unfortunate that the traders could embark on this silent protest without properly notifying the ministry.
“We have had meeting with officials of the union and other relevant stakeholders in my office and we did agree 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 liaised 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.
