The market which is located beside Onuimo river in Obowo, shares boundary with Ekenobizi Umopara community of Umuahia South LGA of Abia State but was closed three weeks ago following the killing of some soldiers by gunmen in the area. Addressing traders at the market on Friday, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Àrmy, Maj-Gen. Hassan Dada, advised them to take responsibility in protecting their communities by supporting security agencies.
Dada said that he had directed his commanders in Imo and Abia to regularly interface with the people to find out their security challenges. Dada used the opportunity to encourage Igbo youths to join the Army, which he described as a noble profession. During the event, the GOC distributed some 10-kg bags of rice and vegetable oil to some aged traders in the market, saying that the palliatives were donated to cushion the effects of the market closure.