Navy Takes Over Delta Market, Says Land Belongs To Us

The Nigerian Navy has taken over a popular slaughter market along the refinery road in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, claiming ownership of the land where the market is situated.

BIGPEN ONLINE reports that the development caused pandemonium in the area as large number of navy personnel stormed the market to eject the traders and occupants of a nearby barrack within the market environment.

Though there was no casualties for the period the exercise lasted, sources disclosed that the navy used restriction rope to tie shops together as well as block major entrance into the market just as they denied traders and buyers access as early as 8:am with sticks in their hands.

Our source said that minimal force was used to pack out the traders and occupants of the land with on one reportedly harassed, intimidate or injured.

Confirming the development, the Commander of NNS Delta Commander, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu said, “The land belongs to the Navy.”

Commodore Ibrahim Dewu who spoke through the Executive Officer of NNS Delta, Navy Capt. Adewuyi said, “The market has become a hide out for criminals and drug addicts.

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“The directive came from the Naval Headquarters that we should eject them from there because the Navy will be developing that place any moment from now.

“We gave them quit notice for the past 1 month. It was widely circulated. We ought to have done this but we postponed it because of the election so that people do not misinterpret our actions.

“They should start leaving that place for their own interests before we start developing in the next few days. The Navy will start demolishing structures and shanties in the next few days.”

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, some of the traders have relocated to the median and other side of the road to do their business.

Others were seen evacuating their wares and wreckages from the market to meet up with the Navy’s one hour ultimatum. The traders had pleaded with the Naval authority to allow them more time to fix up before they could evacuate the market totally

Chairperson of the market, Black Obodo in a chat with Our Correspondent said, “Navy want to take over the market.”

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Obodo who is a cow meat seller for over thirty five years in the market called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to come to the rescue of the traders.

The Chairman of the Market, Comrade Sunny Ezewu said, “The Navy have given us quit notice that we should pack on the 16th of this month and the notice came on the 30th of February. “

Comrade Ezewu said the traders have made several attempts to settle the issue with the Navy(FOC&CO,NNS Delta) who assured him that everything is under control.

He expressed surprise that he saw the Navy used “restriction rope” to tie virtually all shops denying them access into the market.

According to him, “this one make it the 3 times they have scattered our market. Government should come to our aid because we are suffering.”