Market Men and Women Association of Nigeria, South-East Zone, has called for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers from the zone in order to forestall further loss of lives.

The group led by Chief Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ezenwa, disclosed that they were in prayers for God’s intervention for the people of South-East especially the youths following the brutal killing of 26 persons recently.

They threatened to mobilise to vote out President Muhammadu Buhari if the abuse of human rights continued especially the killings saying that the Operation Python Dance should be suspended without further delay.

While thanking the National President of Market Men and Women Association of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Felicia Sanni for facilitating some loans for them, they urged her to join them in the appeal to President Buhari to suspend the military operation.

Addressing journalists at the end of an emergency zonal meeting held in Awka, the National President said: “The traders after watching the video of the Nigerian Army humiliating, terrorising, maiming and killing of unarmed youths in Abia after storming the state for Operation Python Dance 11, we traders in one voice condemn the brutal attack and killings of people.”

She said the tension in the hitherto peaceful states of Igbo land is getting out of hand, hence the traders petitioned the President of the European Union, EU commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Junker to help raise the issues concerning the IPOB’s request for a referendum among the caucus of the EU.

Sanni maintained that the military exercise is not safe for the traders who were doing their genuine businesses, adding that a roundtable talk would have resolved all the problems the Biafran agitators are demanding rather than brutal force and raping of democratic principles.

She lamented that people in the market are now afraid to go about their normal businesses saying that innocent people going to the market were also shot down during the onslaught in Abia State.

The National President further appealed to market leaders to be watchful and ensure calm returns to the markets even as the Association extends its condolences to families that lost their beloved ones during the impasse.

The traders at the meeting passed a Vote of No Confidence on President Buhari for his hatred for Ndigbo, which according to them made him not to condemn the killings and marginalisation of the South East zone since his administration took over the mantle of leadership.

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