There is palpable tension in Rumuwoji Mile One Market as cultists allegedly harass, intimidate, maim and kill traders in the market with impunity while the market executive and even the nearby Mile one Police post are said to look the other way.
The latest incident took place on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
According to sources in the market, the young man whose name was given as “Ratty” came to eat at the victim’s restaurant. Thereafter, he not only refused to pay his bill when it was demanded by the caterer but was angry that he was asked to pay at all and he subsequently stabbed the woman on the neck, leaving her to bleed to death while the traders in the area deserted the place for fear of Police arrest or possible reprisal attack from other rival group. A source confirmed that there are two rival cult groups in the market loyal to some powerful leaders in the market.
Meanwhile, when the market Union Chairman, Mr. Eze was contacted, he refused to address the issue. Also, the policemen at the nearby Mile One Police Station refused to be identified with the incident. One particular policeman who walked out from the station on close of work retorted when asked to comment on the matter, “na me you wan hear from e mouth say Nigeria don spoil, abeg my children still small oo”, he thundered and disappeared fast from the scene.
It would be recalled that six months after, the Mayor of Port-Harcourt, Hon Victor Ihunwo conducted election for the market Union, nothing has changed, neither has the market moved forward as the stakeholders are regretting sponsoring lackluster Executive who cannot take decisions without consulting their sponsors who are equally locked in supremacy war among themselves.
Some of the Executive members, we gathered, are considering throwing in the towel since they are not given free hands to operate, better still others whose interest was to make money from the system are too frustrated to make any move.
The State government’s indecision to reallocate the phase two shops recently built and commissioned is equally not helping matters.
