Timber and building material market in Orlu, Imo state, was on Tuesday July 27 reportedly closed down by soldiers.
A source told TheCable that traders were not allowed to open their shops because they closed operations on Monday July 26 in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who was meant to appear at a federal high court in Abuja.
However after they turned up to resume trading on Tuesday July 27, they were stopped by soldiers who asked them to “stay at home until Biafra Republic is attained”.
Police spokesperson in the state, Mike Abatem when contacted said he cannot speak on the matter and added that questions should be directed to the army spokesperson in the state.
Meanwhile the Chief Of Army Staff, Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya has urged troops to be professional and competent in discharging their duties.
General Yahaya who made the call on his visit to the Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army on Tuesday, commended them for a job well done, so far.
While addressing the troops at the 29 battalion parade ground Port Harcourt Barracks, the COAS enjoined the troops to learn from their superiors in order to be proficient as he encouraged Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) and Regimented Sergeant Major (RSM) to uphold the professionalism of the Nigerian Army.
“For you to be professional and disciplined, you learn from your superiors”, he said.
Speaking further, the COAS charged the RSMs as custodians of regimentation to endeavour to bring back the glory of the Nigerian Army by being role models to the young ones.
To encourage the RSMs and motivate the troops to work harder, he handed over an official brand new Hilux Vehicle to 6 Division’s RSM AWO Baba Bello to enable him to carry out his duties effectively.
Other activities included were commissioning of fire fighting truck, garbage disposal truck, tractor and grass slasher acquired by the General Officer Commanding 6 Div NA, Major General SG Mohammed and also commissioning of renovated 2 blocks of 12 flats each and foundation laying for the construction of a block of 10 flats for Corporal below quarters.
Among the COAS entourage were, the Chief of Operations Army Maj Gen OT Akinjobi, Provost Marshall, Maj Gen Olumuyiwa Aiyenigba, the Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig-Gen Danladi Salihu, and other Principal Staff Officers of Army Headquarters.
