The Navy also chased away illegal occupants out of its barracks as it took over the land wherein the market is situated.
DAILY POST learnt that naval officers and ratings of the Navy used “restriction rope to tie shops together as well as block major entrance into the market just as they denied traders and buyers access as early as 8am with sticks in their hands”.
Our correspondent, who was at the market, reports that in spite of the actions carried out, the naval personnel did not harass, intimidate or injure any of the traders.
All the traders, who spoke with DAILY POST, confirmed that none of them was harassed, intimidated or injured by the naval personnel just as they begged that they be allowed more time in the market.
The Nigerian Navy Ship in Warri, Delta State, NNS Delta, confirmed that it ejected the traders and occupants from the land.
The Commander of NNS Delta Commander, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, said, “The land belongs to the Navy.”
Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, who spoke through the Executive Officer of NNS Delta, Navy Capt. Adewuyi, said, “The market has become a hide-out for criminals and drug addicts.
“The directive came from the Naval Headquarters that we should eject them from there because the Navy will be developing that place any moment from now.
“We gave them quit notice for the past one month. It was widely circulated. We ought to have done this but we postponed it because of the elections so that people do not misinterpret our actions.
“They should start leaving that place for their own interests before we start developing in the next days. The Navy will start demolishing structures and shanties in the next days.”
At the time of filing this report, some of the traders have relocated to the median and other side of the road to do their businesses.
Others were seen evacuating their wares and wreckage from the market to meet up with the Navy’s ultimatum to leave.
The traders are begging the Naval authority to allow them more time to fix up before they can evacuate the market totally.
Chairperson of the market, Black Obodo, in a chat with our correspondent, said, “Navy wants to take over the market.”
Obodo, who is a cow meat seller for over 35 years in the market, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa to come to the rescue of the traders.
