Young Boy Hit By Stray Bullet As Imo Govt Begins Market Demolition (Photos

The Imo state government on Saturday began the demolition of the ancestral Eke ukwu market in Owerri, amidst stiff protest by the occupants, and at least a casualty has been recorded. 

It will be recalled that the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has been in a protracted move to relocate the market. The governor presented his case citing the traffic problems constituted by trading activities on the strategic "Douglas road" as one of his reasons.
Owerri indigenes, however, argued that the market is part of their traditional heritage which should not be tampered with but rather be upgraded with today's shopping mall facilities.
However, yesterday, there was a massive deployment of soldiers around the market, ahead of the demolition today. Reports trickling in from the state indicates that a young boy who went to help his mother move her wares was killed by a stray bullet.