One of the four victims who sustained gunshot injuries during the fracas that erupted amid the demolition of the Toronto Market in Uratta Community, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, has died.

The Nigerian Police in Imo State have arrested and detained eleven suspects in connection with the incident.

The deceased, Identified as Chukwudi Ordu, a father of six, died on Saturday, a few days after the demolition of the illegal market and shops along the road by the state government agency, the Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO).

The 11 suspects arrested comprising one woman and ten men have already been charged to court.

Speaking to journalists in his Uratta palace on Saturday, the traditional ruler of Obibi Uratta Autonomous Community in Owerri North LGA, HRH Eze Prof. Amaobi Uwaleke, confirmed the incident.

He said the other three victims are still in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital in the state, while the eleven suspects arrested have been arraigned.

The monarch blamed the situation on the stubbornness and disregard of some residents toward the government’s directives.

He recalled that he was the one who facilitated the establishment of a police station and a small “Mami Market” with a few shops in the area when the land was formerly used as the Biafra Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) office.

Eze Uwaleke noted that the area was never designated as a market, as it is located along a major road.

He revealed that before the demolition, government officials through ENTRACO had issued several directives to traders to relocate to a newly built market at the local government headquarters.

He regretted that the traders failed to comply with the relocation order, which was intended to prevent accidents that could occur from vehicles or trailers plying the busy road daily.

The monarch appealed for calm in the community and urged aggrieved persons to channel their grievances through the appropriate authorities for peaceful resolution. (Saturday Tribune)