Sporadic Shooting At Uselu Market As Many Traders Sustained Injuries

By Our REPORTER

Many traders were injured at the Ediaken Market, popular called Uselu Market on the Benin-Lagos road axis as political thugs embarked in a sporadic shooting yesterday in an attempt to over throw the leadership of the market union leaving many scampering from safety.

The incident which occurred Tuesday evening entered its second day as the Women trooped out today in their numbers and barricaded the Uselu-Lagos road axis near the market to register their displeasure over yesterday sporadic shooting by the thugs.

The9JaREPORTER gathered that the thugs stormed the market and assaulted the market women who were trading at the market. The incident led to over 30 women and traders hospitalized.

After the showdown between the thugs and the women, some of the traders who came to their shops today (Wednesday) embarked on peaceful protest over the assault on their colleagues on Tuesday.

The protest, which lasted several hours crippled human and vehicular movement on the busy Ugbowo- Uselu-Lagos road, resulting in heavy gridlock.

A trader who pleaded anonymous said they were happy with the leadership of the market union and wanted the leadership to remain until the end of their tenure, but were surprised when a dissident group allegedly loyal to the government in power came and wanted to overthrow and they were resisted.

“Our women came out to reject the new leadership, and they brought thugs who started shooting yesterday Tuesday evening, and in the process, many of our women traders sustained injured and have been hospitalized.

“Over 30 women were injured, and that’s why we are protesting today Wednesday and calling on Governor Monday Okpebholo to address the issue of thugs taking over our market and overthrowing our union leaders in a very violent and disturbing manner.”