Rumuodara Junction along the East West road axis of Port Harcourt was like a battle field on Wednesday January 28 as the Obio-Akpor taskforce, comprising personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Air Force, local vigilante OSPAC and the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Enforcement Team chased street traders away from the road with cutlasses and guns.
Like ‘sheep running helter-skelter inside their pen when the coyote appeared in their midst’, the traders and some passers-by were seen getting in each other’s way on sighting the multi-agency task force who were brandishing cutlasses, AK47, pump action guns and other sophisticated weapons.
The task force team which moved in a long convoy of buses and hilux vans seized goods of traders displayed along the roadside.
According to a statement titled: “Update on the enforcement of the total ban on street trading around Rumuokwurusi (oil mill) market and surrounding axis, including Elelenwo, Igbo Etche road and adjacent areas in Obio-Akpor LGA, Rivers state”, signed by the council chairman, Dr. Gift Worlu, stated that the Special Joint Enforcement Task Force was deployed to decisively address street trading, hawking, roadside vending and maintain public order across the LGA.
The statement disclosed that
a total of 15 persons (including traders and transporters) were arrested for violations in the affected areas and that as first-time offenders, they were made to sign undertakings and undergo three days of community service.
“We expect this measured approach to serve as a deterrent to others and encourage voluntary compliance during the grace period”, it stated.
Furthermore, the statement said, “a two-week grace period (from 29th January, 2026, to 11th February, 2026) has been granted to all traders, shop operators, and affected persons to voluntarily demolish, remove, or relocate all illegal projections, temporary structures, extensions, roadside displays, stored goods, or any encroachments outside the designated fence/boundary of Rumuokwurusi (Oil Mill) Market and its surrounding axis.This includes walkways, road setbacks, and verges along Elelenwo, Igbo-Etche Road, and adjacent areas. Failure to comply within this period shall result in immediate demolition of these illegal structures by the Council at the sole expense of the defaulter(s). All costs incurred by the Council in effecting such demolition, clearance, and restoration shall be fully recovered from the offending party(ies) without exception. After this period, strict enforcement will commence without further notice or leniency, involving: seizure and forfeiture of goods, imposition of fines and prosecution under relevant bye-laws”.
It urged full compliance and support from traders, residents, commuters, security agencies, and all stakeholders.
Speaking with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, a fruit seller decried the use of cutlasses and guns to chase street traders.
“I expected them to carry batons instead of guns and cutlasses. Are they pursuing armed robbers? They ought to be civil on duty”, she said.
