Day 1: Igbo Traders Ignores Government’s Warning, Lock Shops Over Increasing Crime Rate In Cross River (Pictures)

By CrossRiverWatch Admin

Some Igbo traders have dared the Cross River State Government by ignoring it’s notice to boycott protest against security unrest in the State.

The Igbo traders union in Cross River had directed it’s members to close their businesses for two days (Monday and Tuesday) as a protest against the current security challenges bedeviling the State.

In response, the Cross River State Government through a release signed by Sir Alfred Mboto, Permanent Secretary, State Security Office directed that the order be ignored.

The release reads in part:

“The attention of the Cross River State Government has been drawn to a plan by some members of Igbo traders union in the Calabar metropolis to force their members to close their shops for two days with effect from Monday, June 22, 2020.

“Government is also aware of the threat of N50, 000 surcharge by the union on any Igbo trader who opens his or her shop for business within the two days.

“Their plan is unacceptable to Government and Government will do everything within her power and the law to arrest and prosecute any person or group of persons under any guise seen obstructing any Igbo trader from opening his/her shop for business in the State on Monday, June 22, 2020 and Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

“All Igbo traders in Calabar and the entire Cross River State are therefore, advised to disregard the call and threat of the Igbo traders union and go ahead to open their shopes for their legitimate businesses.

“The union is rather enjoined to encourage the State Government on the on-going war against kidnappers, gangsters, drug trades, arm robbers and other illegal operations in the State instead of scuttling the effort of Government. Be properly guided, please.”

CrossRiverWatch news crew went round the State capital to assess the situation and found that some shops are actually closed while some are partially open.

Below are pictures of businesses that obeyed the directives of Igbo traders union. Though no one or group of persons were seen harassing those that are open.