By Kingston Magare
Following the recent violence at the popular Onitsha market, which claimed the lives of several traders including a pregnant woman, Dr George Moghalu has called on Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludu to put a leach on the State security and law enforcement agencies.
Dr Moghalu, who is the Labour Party candidate in the November 8 governorship election said the spate of killings and intimidation of Anambra citizens was get out of hand. He was speaking while on condolence visit to the grieving traders Wednesday.
The victims were allegedly killed on Tuesday, September 9, by operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) during a clash with traders near the ever-busy Emeka Offor Plaza in the market, which left many traders injured.
Dr. Moghalu said in a statement: “From Udo-Gachi to Aka Ọdọ, and now OCHA Brigade, Anambra has been witnessing a disturbing pattern of killings and violence. This is no longer governance; this is tragedy. For the past three years, our state has been drowning in negative headlines—killings, bloodshed, kidnapping, and fear everywhere.
“Our people no longer feel safe going to the market, walking the streets, or even sitting in their own homes. We are now living on a battlefield, where citizens are gunned down not by criminals in the bush, but by those wearing government uniforms.
“This is not the Anambra of our dreams. How long shall we continue like this? How long shall the lives of our people be wasted by a government that has no compassion, empathy, or conscience? A government that cannot protect its citizens has no moral right to ask for their votes.”
He called off his campaign for a week to mourn in solidarity with the traders.
Dr. Moghalu