Man nabbed after attempt to torch Anambra market
Atrader, Ikenna Okafor has been arrested over alleged plot to set ablaze Mgbuka Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts market in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The suspect was said to have carried out the act following advice from a native doctor in retaliation for his stolen goods which nobody agreed to be responsible for.
The Nation gathered that the suspect who stormed the market yesterday at about 3.30 am, sneaked in and set one shop on fire, hoping it would spread to other parts of the market.
“The security men who rushed to the scene on sighting the fire, saw the man running and went after him, eventually arresting him.
“All pleas to bribe the security men with any amount of money they mentioned so they can let him go fell on deaf ears,” an eyewitness said.
The witness said the suspect was about to be lynched when the market authorities intervened.
Reacting, Chairman of the market, Chief Samuel Ifulunwa, described the act as wicked, saying he had contacted the market authorities for necessary actions.
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He said, “The shop he first put fire on was almost razed as the roof was blown off and wares worth millions of naira destroyed before the vigilante operatives were able to extinguish it.
“This is wicked act. I have to called President General of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna for necessary action.
“The suspect told us that there was a time they stole his goods and nobody agreed to have stolen the goods which prompted him to contact a native doctor who gave him charm to use to set the market ablaze in retaliation.
“When the news of the incident filtered into the traders ears’, they rushed to the market and were about to set him ablaze alive but the PG and I pleaded that we should not take the law into our hands and they agreed with us.
Corroborating with the market chairman, the ASMATA PG assured that due process would be followed to avoid being blamed for jungle justice.
“We are going to Awka to hand over the suspect to the police. Due process must be taken, we should not take law into our hands so that we will not be blamed for our unlawful action,” he said.
