By Divine Sam

Traders operating under the Association of Modebeb Traders in Onitsha, Anambra State, have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, over alleged intimidation, threats and the demolition of commercial buildings amid a lingering dispute over market leadership and property ownership.

The traders made their appeal during a press conference in Abuja, calling on the police chief to intervene, investigate the allegations and provide protection for members who claim to have faced repeated threats.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Chief Okey Muojekwu said the dispute had lasted for about two years, leaving traders worried about their safety and the future of their businesses.

Muojekwu alleged that a plaza where members conducted their businesses was demolished in 2025, affecting investors and property owners. He said four buildings were affected, including properties located at numbers 77 and 79.

He also called for an investigation into alleged alterations or forgery of property documents, claiming that the name on the ownership records had been changed.

The association’s representative further alleged that some individuals were using their connections with security agencies to intimidate traders, with claims of police personnel being involved in some of the incidents.

In a separate allegation, Muojekwu said he was recently attacked by suspected thugs who stabbed him with a knife. He claimed to have escaped the attack and reported the incident to the police but remained concerned about continued threats.

Chairman of the market association, Tochukwu Umeh, linked the crisis to disagreements surrounding the Anambra State Government’s decision to remove some market leaders.

Umeh alleged that some of those affected by the government’s decision had continued to occupy leadership positions, maintaining that they were elected by market members.

A patron of the market, Onyeka Oguejiofor, also accused some individuals of taking over shops without due process and threatening traders with eviction without formal notice.

According to him, previous attempts to resolve the dispute through the police and relevant government officials had failed to produce a lasting solution.

The traders are now urging the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, protect affected members and ensure that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing is brought to justice.

They stressed that their goal is to resolve the dispute peacefully, safeguard their properties and restore normal business activities at the market.

The allegations are yet to be independently established, and the traders are seeking official intervention to address their grievances and prevent further escalation of the crisis.