Hoodlums Invade Akpan Andem Market, Carted Away goods worth Hundreds of Naira

...As Traders seek Govt's Assistance

The Eyes Newspaper

Men of the underworld have invaded Akpan Andem Market in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital and went away with goods worth Millions of Naira during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

According to the Market Chairman, Mr. NseAbasi Ndoh, the incident took place on the 3rd day of the lockdown directive by the government of Akwa Ibom State.

"The first three days of the lockdown, thieves came to this Market and took away goods worth Millions of Naira. Although we have used the police to retrieve some of the goods, more are still missing and there is no hope of finding them." He explained.

He said apart from the stolen goods, traders in Akpan Andem Market have lose their perishable goods worth huge amount of money, adding that the total lockdown took them unaware.


Mr. Ndoh expressed joy over the Governor Udom Emmanuel's resolve to reopen Markets in the State, and called on the Akwa Ibom State government to as a matter of urgency see to what they can do to ameliorate the plights of the affected traders in Akpan Andem.

"Actually, during the lockdown period, some perishable goods worth hundreds of thousands Naira got spoilt and we the the Market Committee are financially incapacitated to help the owners of those goods. We are calling on the government to come to our aid so that our traders can bounce back." He pleaded.


On the fear of Coronavirus infection in the Market, the Chairman explained that  Committees in Akpan Andem Market has already enforced compulsory use of nose masks and other precautionary measures on the traders, reiterating that customers coming to buy from the Market must ensure proper use of nose mask.

He pleaded with the State government to reconsider her policy on the timing of markets operation and see how the Markets can open by 6:00am and closed by 4:00pm, noting that some traders with perishable goods come from distant places to the Market.

" We have successfully implemented the use of nose mask, social distancing, compulsory application of hand sanitizer on our traders, and we are advising our customers to come to Market with their nose mask or else, they will be denied access to the Market." He said.


He appealed to the affected traders to remain calm, expressing optimism that the State government will swing into action to help them out of their difficult situation.