A POLICEMAN and a driver attached to the patron of the Ogbaru Main Market Traders Association in Anambra State, Chief Sam Mendu, were yesterday killed at Ezeiweka Road, Awada, a sprawling suburb of Onitsha, by kidnappers who at the same time abducted their boss and the President of the market, Chief Eugene Nwanne.
Following this development, the market was shut down by its executives not only to douse the tension but to protest the lingering problem and power tussle in the market.
The Vice-President of the market, Chief Emmanuel Onuka, said the two people were kidnapped about 6.60pm while returning from Awka, the capital, where they had gone to submit a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philemon Leha.
He said the kidnappers, who operated with a Toyota Camry car and motorcycles, intercepted their victims, while those on motorcyles shot the police orderlies and the driver to Chief Mendu, popularly called Onwa Ogidi.
According to him, those in the Toyota Camry went straight and pulled out the duo, pushed them inside their (kidnappers) vehicles and sped off to an unknown destination.
Although Onuka said the incident had been reported at the Awada Police Division, up till press time no contact had been established with the kidnappers or the family.
However, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident, saying that the police was on the trail of the kidnappers.
