• Thursday, January 09, 2025
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BusinessDay

Yam traders mourn over murder of chairman

zakibian yam market

Traders at the yam market in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State have been thrown into a state of mourning following the gruesome murder of the chairman, Shade Owners Association, Zakibian Yam Market, Tavershima Achinge, by unknown assailants on Wednesday.

A reliable source told BusinessDay that Achinge’s assailants trailed him to his house in Zakibian shortly after he left the market and shot him at close range, leaving him in his pool of blood.
Findings by BusinessDay indicate that the incident occurred on the heels of a disagreement over who controls the security of the market between the owners of the shades and a local gang, which has lingered for sometime.

It was learned that pressure was mounted on the deceased by the leader of the local gang, who is yet to be identified, to allow them take over security of the market, but the late union leader resisted their planned action, insisting that owners of the shades should be the ones to provide security at the aforesaid market.

The Zakibian Yam Market, which is said to be the biggest in the whole of the West African region, is reportedly shut to avoid reprisal attacks.

When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Sewuese Aneni, confirmed the incident, saying investigation was in progress.

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