OWERRI TRADERS CRY OUT OVER GUARD'S DEATH

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA
OWERRI - Members of Owerri Building Materials Traders Association have cried out over the gruesome murder of a private securityman engaged by the association to guard the Industrial Market Complex, Naze, Owerri North local government area of Imo State.

Its chairman, Mr. Chukwudi Onuoha, lamented that apart from the death of the security man, the rampaging armed robbers stole over N15 million during the operation.

He said: 'The robbers shot one of the securitymen, broke into over 20 shops and stole my members' valuable items, including cash worth over N15m.'

Onuoha  said the other security personnel, who survived the onslaught, noted that the no fewer than 20 hoodlums came in groups, adding ,  'The robbers subdued the securitymen, broke down walls and gained entry into the shops. The attack is getting incessant.'

He appealed to the state government and police command to establish a police post in the market, with a view to safeguarding life and property in the market.

The Police Public Relations Officer,  Mr. Linus Nwaiwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: 'It is unfortunate that life was lost. We have already commenced full-scale investigation to unmask  perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.'