On Wednesday, a detachment of policemen from the Abia State Command took measures to restrict access to the Ariaria International Market and shoe plaza, including the Powerline 1st and 2nd Gates, preventing traders from entering their shops. There were reports of some traders being arrested by the police team when they attempted to open their shops in the early hours of the day.
The situation led to restrictions on human and vehicular movements along Faulks Road. Our correspondent’s attempt to visit the area was unsuccessful, as many motorists abandoned their vehicles and sought safety when the stern-looking police detachment fired sporadically into the air, blocking Brass Street by Aba-Owerri Road, a major entry and exit route into Faulks Road.
Traders expressed dismay over the security personnel’s actions, questioning why they were targeted instead of going after the perpetrators, who had already fled the scene.
The previous day, gunmen had attacked and killed two policemen near the market, stealing their rifles and setting their van on fire. This incident forced some shoppers in Ariaria to turn back, while others from distant places had to find accommodation in the hope that the situation would be resolved by Friday when they planned to leave Aba for their destinations.
The Abia Commissioner of Police, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, condemned the killing of the two policemen at the SAMECK junction in Aba on Tuesday evening. The attack resulted in the deaths of a Police Constable and a Police Inspector.
