Tension as seven ‘northern traders’ shot dead in Imo

There is palpable tension in Imo State, south-east Nigeria following the murder of seven traders from the northern part of the country.

It was gathered that the victims were killed in separate shooting incidents in Orlu town and Umuaka in Njaba Local Government Area between Friday and Saturday.

Narrating the incident to reporters, an eyewitness, Harisu Umaru Ishiaku, said that the killers, dressed in military uniform, stormed the Afor Umuaka market around 8:30 pm and attacked the victims, who had lived in the area for many years.

According to the Imo State Coordinator of Hausa traders, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkadir, the first incident happened on Friday when three Suya sellers were about to close for the day.

He said some gunmen in a Sienna car emerged suddenly and opened fire on them.

Speaking with Daily Trust, he said in a similar style, the same set of gunmen attacked four Hausa traders at Umuaka in Njaba.

Abdulkadir said Hausa traders in Orlu now live in fear, adding that some have relocated to Owerri, the state capital.

“It started on the second of this month. I was called that three people had been killed by some men operating in a Siena car. They were Suya sellers.

“Just as we were about to handle the situation, I was called again that the same people killed four people,” he said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Gender, Vulnerable Groups, Northern Affairs (Men), Hon. Sulaiman Ibrahim Sulaiman said the state government and all the units of security agencies have waded into the matter.

While claiming that the killing is politically motivated, he assured the Northern community of the commitment of the government of Imo to putting a stop to the attacks.