11th March, 2020
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Ikokwu Motorspareparts market in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, which is unarguably, one of largest spare parts market in South-South region was shut down Tuesday in protest against the refusal of the Rivers State Police Command to release autopsy result conducted on the late Chima Ikwunado, an Auto-Mechanic allegedly tortured to death by Eagle Crack Squad in Mile One Police Station, Port Harcourt.
A visit to Ikokwu Motorspareparts market today showed total compliant of the strike action by the traders who vowed that they were ready to stay at home over the death of Chima and the Torture of the four Ikokwu traders in the Eagle Crack Squad cell in December 2019.
It was observed the Police operational vehicles were stationed in strategic positions at the Ikokwu Market.
According to Nnamdi Osundu, a trader in the market, he said, “I am ready to close down my shop for one week because of what happened to Chima Ikwunado. We not fighting for his rights, we are fighting for ourselves who are alive. Yesterday it was Chima, tomorrow it may be anybody”.
Another trader, Ikenna Madu who is a dealer in Toyota brand spare parts said: “My protest is against Police impunity, arrogance and brutality against Nigerians for trumped-up charges just because they could not offer bribes”.
Earlier, Mr.Anthony Iwu, the Chairman of Ikokwu Motorspareparts Dealers Association had announced the marketers will observe a sit at home on Tuesday, March 10 to press further on the demand for the release of the autopsy result conducted on late Chima Ikwunado an auto mechanic who was allegedly tortured to death by men of the Eagle crack unit of the Mile one police station.
Mr. Iwu lamented that the Police are yet to release the autopsy result and remains of late Chima for burial despite the advice given by a Federal High Court sitting in PortHarcourt for the release of the result to the family before the next adjourned date of hearing on the matter.
The Chairman appealed to the state government and relevant authorities to come to their aid and prevail on the Nigeria Police to do the needful by parading the officers that allegedly tortured Chima to death and the four others who sustained grievous injuries.