Efforts by the government of Enugu State to demolish and relocate traders at the New Artisan Market yesterday backfired leading to serious security challenges in parts of the State. Trouble started when officials of the Enugu State government arrived at the market with bulldozers and armed Policemen but the Hausa traders many of whom were said to be armed with assault rifles attacked the officials and chased them away.
The traders reportedly seized the Government bulldozers, fought the Police and other law enforcement agents and caused a heavy traffic gridlock along the NNPC end of the Enugu/Port Hacourt Expressway. Some reports had it that they attacked motorists, and hoodlums used the opportunity to rob passersby as they set up bonfires on the busy highway.
Unconfirmed sources say that two people were killed during the fracas.
The State government is yet to issue a statement on the crisis as at the time of filling this report.