Economic activities were brought to a halt on Friday at Timber Market, Mgbidi, Imo, following violent clash between two warring groups over revenue collection in the market.
It was gathered that the clash caused hours of gridlock on Oguta road section of Owerri/Onitsha highway as vehicle owners abandoned their vehicles for fear of being caught in the web of the clash.
Shop owners quickly shut down their shops while passersby ran for safety as all manners of dangerous weapons were freely used by those involved in the fight.
An eye witness said the clash broke out when a task force from the market constituted by Mr Donatus Ibeawuchi went to collect rents from another group loyal to one Ikechukwu Obialor.
Ibeawuchi is the chairman, Oru Timber Dealers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, Mgbidi
“When the task force led by one Nwachukwu Akunna entered shops on the left side of the Timber Market, demanding rents it was resisted.
“All manners of dangerous weapons were brandished and physical combat erupted,’’ a source who preferred anonymity said.
The source added that some people sustained injuries but no live was lost during the clash.
Ibeawuchi, who confirmed the clash, explained that a task force inaugurated by his executives embarked on the revenue drive following a recent High court judgment after a prolonged battle on the ownership of the market.
“We have been involved in leadership tussle for about 12 years now; on May, 26, 2015, Imo State High Court, Oru Division presided over by Justice K.A. Ojiako entered judgment in our favour.
“The judgment stated among others that Oru Timber Dealers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, Mgbidi (Oguta Road) is the property of Umuarum family and as such entitled to collect rents and 10 years rent arrears’’, he said.
Ibeawuchi noted that it was on attempt to collect the rent that his men were attacked by another group opposed to the development of the market.
He lamented the deplorable state of facilities in the market.
“This market was built for more than 40 years now; most of the internal roads are currently bad and the zincs of most of the shops are leaking; we planned to fix these facilities with the money’’, he said.
Ibeawuchi said that those causing problems in the market had already established another timber market at Amoka.