Three persons have been reportedly killed in Enugu, the nation’s coal city following a protest that erupted on Wednesday over the shutting down of some shops in the city.
The shops were shut down on Wednesday at the Ogbete Main Market after the government accused the traders of obeying Simon Ekpa’s sit-at-home order despite its warning.
Consequently, some of the traders took to the streets protesting the sealing of their shops by the State government.
The protest, after a while turned violent, leading to the death of three persons who were reportedly shot dead by security operatives.
A viral video has showed lifeless bodies of two young men and that of a lady abandoned on the streets.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement made available to journalists, said normalcy has returned to the state capital.
The police spokesman said the peaceful protest by the traders was hijacked.
Ndukwe said: “Normalcy has been restored at Ogbete Market Enugu and its surroundings, following the report of protest by some traders over the sealing of their shops by the State Government and their attempt to force others, whose shops were not sealed, to close theirs and the entire market closed.
“The initially peaceful protest was hijacked and made to become violent.
“Traders in the market and citizens alike have been pleaded with to remain law-abiding, peaceful and cooperative, while using approved channels to express their grievances.
“Full-scale investigation has been initiated on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, while further development, especially as it concerns reports of casualties being circulated, will be communicated as soon as possible, please.”