Igbo traders in Bayelsa State protested the serial killings of prominent Igbo businessmen at the State Police Headquarters in Yenagoa on Monday.
The killings have been committed by unknown gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers and hired assassins.
They were particularly angry over the gruesome murder of Martins Agodo by gunmen at his Yenagoa residence in early hours ofMonday.
The gunmen were said to have broken into the house of Mr. Agodo, who owns a popular boutique, Omar’s Fashion Plaza, at the OMPADEC area of Yenagoa-Mbiama Road, and demanded money from his victim.
After ransacking his house, the gunmen were said to have shot and killed Mr. Agodo in cold blood in the presence of his wife.
The traders, led by Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, lamented that Mr. Agodo was killed a few days after gunmen murdered another successful Igbo businessman, Ugochukwu, also known as Ugo Best, who was killed in Azikoro village on his way home from work.
"Ugochukwu was close to his house in company with his wife when gunmen operating in commercial tricycles blocked his car. They dragged him out of the car and forced him into the tricycle.”
"His corpse was discovered the next day at the Azikoro cemetery with his hands and legs tied up. He was a successful businessman who built a big house in Azikoro village. We are scared of these killings,” one of the traders said.
The traders also pointed to the murder of an unidentified businessman gruesomely in the Tombia area, saying that others were being harassed and injured by arm-bearing youths.
The traders assembled at the front of Omar’s Fashion Plaza, forced shops to close down and marched to the State command of the police.
They were received by the Commissioner Peter Ogunyawo and other senior police officers.
Presenting their grievances, Mr. Arthur-Ugwa told the Commissioner that the Igbos were no longer safe in Bayelsa State.
"We are being killed by gunmen. One was killed in Azikoro, the other one was killed in Tombia and today another one who just got married was killed in Amarata.”
"We are not happy. We have closed down our businesses to come and tell you at the headquarters that we are not safe. If you cannot guarantee our safety, we will relocate our businesses and families out of the State. We are pleading for your assistance,” he said.
Responding to Mr. Arthur-Ugwa, the Commissioner asserted that Igbo people are not being targeted in the attacks.
He assured the protestors that the command was doing everything possible to reduce crime in the State and asked the traders to share information with the authorities to enable them to more effectively police the State.
"We can't be effective if you don't partner with us. Once you have feelings of any crime, let us know,” the Police Commissioner stated.