Police React To Alleged Petition To Arrest Igbo Traders In Bayelsa

• A petition alleged the arrest of Igbo traders in Bayelsa’s Ultra-Modern Swali market.

• AIG Paul Omata has intervened, halting further arrests and promising a thorough investigation.

• The arrests followed accusations by the market mistress and subsequent peaceful protests by traders.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Paul Omata, who oversees Zone 16 headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has responded to an alleged petition regarding the arrest of Igbo traders at the Ultra-Modern Swali market.

Following a meeting with the Igbo traders’ leadership, AIG Omata has halted any further arrests and pledged to investigate the matter thoroughly.

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The arrests stemmed from a petition filed by market mistress Mrs. Mildred Egele, accusing the chairman and Igbo traders of protesting against her.

Chairman Mr. Jude Osigwe recounted being forcibly taken by masked police officers in a tinted Hilux vehicle without proper arrest procedures on March 17, 2024.

Igbo traders

He said, “I summoned courage and asked who are you people? So, the people were looking for me because the police refused me to make calls.

”When they looked after 24 hours and they did not see me and nobody was able to reach me, they started protesting because my lawyer was able to tell them that they have seen a petition written to Zone 16 by Mildred Egele through the office of Trade and Investment.

“That was what prompted the protest and it was a very peaceful protest.

“To our greatest surprise, after then, she wrote another petition arresting everybody. So that was why we are here to see the AIG in charge of Zone 16.

“The AIG wield into the matter and the first thing he did was to stop the arrest and also asked the IPO to do the needful.

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“He has also given myself and Mildred an invitation so that he can know actually the problem and put an end to it. So, we are very grateful.”

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