No fewer than six concerned youths were arrested for causing crisis in Oye market, Nimo in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state recently.
A recent sqabble by some youths of Nimo and some executives of the Nimo Development Town Union which took place at the oye market has thrown the community into crisis.
Our correspondent who monitored the arrest and investigations at the Oye market reports that the crisis started when some youths who claimed to be Concerned Nimo Youths stormed the Oye market and started announcing that no further levy should be paid in to the purse of the Nimo Development Union.
This also led to the attack of two NDTU executives, 3rd National Vice President Hon Ofodili (tawalele), and the National Youth Chairman, Comrade Chibuike Okwaji.
In an interview with the First Vice National Chairman, Nimo Development Town Union, Hon Chigbo Anidobe, said some concerned youths decided that Nimo cannot be at peace, “we tried to reach out to them and plead with them but it turns out that our plead was as a sign of weakness. So we decided to involve the government so that peace will reign”.
“We wrote a petition against them and those people were apprehended by the police and today the police came around with them at the scene to interview some market traders and also carry out some search”.
When asked if he was aware that some people came to Oye market extorting money from traders, Anidobe however dismissed the allegations that some youths where extorting money from market traders but maintained that the youths were collecting levies from traders under the directions of the national body which is NDTU, and that those levies collected were being used for the upkeep of the market.
He added that the youths were employed by NTDU to help to collect some levies which were been used in cleaning the market.
He however alleged that one Mr Ifeanyi Anakor ganged up with some people and attacked the Third National President Hon Ofodili (tawa Nene ), and the National Youths Chairman comrade Chibuike Okwaji, was also attacked.
He refuted the name Nimo concenrned youths as an existing body or association but disclosed that they are hoodlums who have decided that Nimo never know peace, adding that some of them who were fighting for the peace and wellbeing of Nimo people were compromised and deceived.
Advising Nimo and the traders, Hon Anidobe called on all and sundry to be calm. While reminding Nimo that there is time for war and peace pleaded that this the time “we need to come together and build nimo, this is time to drop grudges and join hands together to build our dear community to greater heights.
Earlier speaking, one of the traders where at the scene of the attack said, simply addressed as Oluchukwu, said she came out from her chop when she heard some noise and immediately saw Ifeanyi Anakor kicked the VP 3 to the ground while they were quarreling. Immediately I came out from my chop I saw him lying on the ground, he was the person who kicked him down ( pointing at ifeanyi Anakor). I asked what he did but he didn’t respond to me rather he was exchanging quarrel with others.
However, when asked by the inspector investigating the case, he agreed that he attacked the 3rd vice chairman during the quarrel. “What happened is that it was the day we came to tell market traders to stop paying any levy and the elected youth chairman, ogbozi was discussing with some people and the 3rd vice president came and interrupted which I warned him and that resulted to me kicking him down”.
When asked who sent them to come and stop the levy collection in the market, if they were aware of the newly integrated NDTU, Mr Ifeanyi Anakor said “we concerned youths of Nimo made up our minds and decided to implement the action. I am aware of the new inaugurated body as well as aware of the Nimo youths (which is an umbrella of NDTU).
Although, some female traders acknowledged that the collection of the levies started early this year by the group. “We pay 500 naira every Oye market day to the group and this started since this year”.
In his speech, immediate past 2nd Vice PG Nimo, Dr. Valentine Oliobi said ” under our regime the Governor said no more extortion in all the markets in Anambra state. No more tax collection in terms of ASWAMA.
Ikemba pointed out that the Youth Chairman was caught with receipts.
When asked if he was aware of the collection going on for months in the market, Ikemba said I didn’t do anything because I was already challenging the outcome of the election in court”.
First National Vice, Hon Anidobe however agreed that there is never a time youths collect tax or levy from traders but the National Town Union body was the one that sent them to collect levy.
He pointed out the issue as, “the election was conducted on the 4th of January, 2024 and things didn’t go well for some people which ( pointing to Ikemba) he felt he would not accept the zoning formular agreed between the four Nimo quarters with the Anambra State government, by the Hon Nwabunwanne Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs at the Government House Awka, on 28th Dec, 2023.
Meanwhile, search warrant was conducted at one of the suspect’s House, after which they were taken back to Zone 13, for further deliberations on the case.
As at the time of file of this report, the suspects have been released on bail while the police are still investigating the matter to find a lasting solution.
