Abia State Government Cracks Down on Defiant Market Leaders, Touts in Aba
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
The Abia State Government has apprehended three market leaders and several individuals engaging in illicit activities in Aba for defying the instructions of the new administration.
The government had implemented a temporary suspension on all levies imposed on commercial transporters within the state.
The arrests took place on Thursday in Aba during a monitoring operation conducted by Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu.
According to reports from the Deputy Governor’s office, those apprehended were the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary of the Stockfish Dealers Association of Cemetery Market, Aba. Additionally, a number of touts were caught extorting money from transporters in Aba, disregarding the government’s directive to suspend the levies.
Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu transferred the market leaders and other offenders to the Central Police Station, Aba.
He explained that he conducted the on-the-spot monitoring exercise to verify compliance with the immediate suspension of all levies payable to the Abia State government by tricycles, taxis, and other commercial vehicle operators traversing Abia roads.
Prior to the visit, Emetu had received information about the ongoing extortion and illegal collection of levies by these troublemakers.
Emetu expressed disappointment with the actions of the touts, which undermined the developmental policies of Governor Alex Otti.
He urged the Nigeria Police to ensure that those who violated the government’s suspension directive are held accountable and prosecuted in court to serve as a deterrent to others.
Emetu emphasized that the illegal extortions did not benefit the government, but instead lined the pockets of individuals involved in the illicit activities.
During the event, the deputy governor took the opportunity to inform the citizens and residents of Abia that the new administration is committed to changing the prevailing narrative of years of decay and corruption.
He cautioned against any further disobedience to the government’s directives.
The areas monitored by the deputy governor included Ehi Road and Azikiwe Road by ASA, Eziukwu, and Cemetery Market.
