The Nigerian Army has reopened the Onuimo market, located in Umungwa, Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, for trading activities.
The market which is located beside Onuimo river in Obowo, shares boundary with Ekenobizi Umopara community of Umuahia South LGA of Abia State but was closed three weeks ago following the killing of some soldiers by gunmen in the area.
Addressing traders at the market on Friday, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Àrmy, Maj-Gen. Hassan Dada, advised them to take responsibility in protecting their communities by supporting security agencies.
He noted that his visit to the market was to assure the community that the Nigerian Army is there for them.
“It is our responsibility as the military to protect you but we will not tolerate killing of soldiers,” he warned.
Dada said that he had directed his commanders in Imo and Abia to regularly interface with the people to find out their security challenges.
Dada used the opportunity to encourage Igbo youths to join the Army, which he described as a noble profession.
During the event, the GOC distributed some 10-kg bags of rice and vegetable oil to some aged traders in the market, saying that the palliatives were donated to cushion the effects of the market closure.
“We appreciate the fact that due to one inconvenience or the other, some people have not been able to ply their trade.
“That is one of the reasons we also did palliative, that in the spirit of the festive period, the Army is always with the people,” the GOC said.
Responding, the acting chairman of the market, Mr Jerry Uzodinma, thanked the GOC, promising that traders will support the soldiers in securing the area.