Onitsha Market Leader Abducted By Gunmen

Chief Enibe Francis, the Chairman of Mgbuka Amazu Market, Onitsha in Anambra State, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen over circumstances said to be related to Monday’s sit-at-home.

The victim was abducted in the early hours of Monday, September 25, after opening the market as directed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

It was gathered that the gunmen beat him to a stupour after which they bundled him into a waiting vehicle and drove to an unknown destination.

The governor had, weeks ago, directed market leaders in the state to open their markets on Mondays, including observing prayer sessions and cleaning the markets and surrounding drainages.

President of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, while confirming the incident, said he has been briefed, adding that efforts were on to establish contact with the abductee.

He said: “Francis was said to have been whisked away when about five full armed men stormed his shop and shooting indiscriminately into the air, beat him to stupor and dumped him into guns the boot of their SUV vehicle.”