By Ikeugonna Eleke
An agency of the Anambra State, Awka Capital Territory Development Agency (ACTDA), February 15, destroyed newspapers at newsstands, beating up vendors in the state capital, Awka.
Members of the taskforce, working with the agency who acted brazenly, also destroyed other goods belonging to roadside traders.
A large heap of papers destroyed by the agency’s taskforce included: The Nation, the Sun, Vanguard, Punch, Guardian, among other newspapers.
The taskforce beat up traders at the popular Aroma Junction, along with some security people, and destroyed the PoS machines of vendors.
Some of the vendors, passersby and petty traders rained curses on the agency, while others swore not to sell newspapers again until Soludo and his agents changed.
‘Our tables were equally destroyed, while our umbrellas were confiscated by the agents of the government. Last week, same thing happened. We are wondering if Soludo does not need poor people any longer in Anambra,’ they lamented.
When Fides reached out Soludo’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, he said he was not aware of the incident, but promised to reach out to the MD of the agency.
He however said that the action was in keeping with the resolve of the state government to bequeath Anambra a clean, healthy and serene environment.
