TheNewsGuru

Tag: Traders

  • JUST IN: Police rescue 10 out of 16 kidnapped traders in Ondo

    JUST IN: Police rescue 10 out of 16 kidnapped traders in Ondo

    The Ondo State Police Command said 10 out of the 16 traders abducted on Saturday morning have been rescued.

    It said the traders were abducted along the Akure-Owo highway by gunmen.

    Spokesman for the Ondo Police Command, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, who gave the update in a chat with newsmen said the police was supported by other security agencies.

    Ikoro said the 10 traders were rescued after a gun duel with their abductors.

    He said four of the suspected kidnappers were arrested while efforts were on to rescue six other victims.

    It was gathered that the traders were returning from Akure where they attended the monthly meetings of Iyalaje, Iyalojas and women leaders when they were abducted between Ogbese and Uso.

    Among those abducted were Mrs Hellen Edward, the Iyaloja of Isua Akoko.

    Their driver simply identified as Jimi who was asked by the abductors to go and inform families of the victims said they were returning from Akure when they ran into 10 gunmen shooting sporadically to scare people.

    He said occupants of two other vehicles were equally robbed and the occupants kidnapped.

    It was learnt that the abductors had already demanded N11m ransom before the gun battle.

  • Nigerian traders protest Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open locked shops

    Nigerian traders protest Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open locked shops

    The Nigeria Union of Traders Association in Ghana (NUTAG), has carried out a peaceful protest over Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open shops owned by Nigerians in that country.

    The President of NUTAG, Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, who led the protest, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Ghanaian authorities’ refused to open their shops since 2019.

    He noted that the Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open the traders’ shops was despite several meetings between top officials of both governments of Nigeria and Ghana.

    He said that the protest was to press the Ghanaian authorities to open shops owned by Nigerians living in Ghana, to enable them tackle economic challenges amid COVID-19.

    According to him, the shops owned by Nigerians under lock and key since past one year should be opened to enable the traders return to normal businesses, urging the Nigerian central overnment to evacuate them.

    Nnaji said: “I am in talks in with my leader, Mr Ken Okoha, National President of Nigerian Traders, and he has assured us that he will take our case up to the highest level in Nigeria.

    “In fact, plans are on for him to move to institutions that are related to trade; I have known him for five years now and I know what he is able to do.

    “I am rest assured that the leadership of Nigerian traders are working towards achieving this goal; some of you, who still have funds, should also continue to help other traders.

    “Be law abiding citizens, COVID-19 is still on and lots of businesses are affected; many of us are living from hand to mouth due to the downturn.

    “If you do not have anything to do, stay at home; rest assured that at the end of October, if we are not evacuated, we will keep ourselves at the border.”

    Receiving the traders, Mrs Easter Arewa, Charge de Affair of Nigeria High Commission in Ghana, said that government would remain committed to protecting Nigeria citizens.

    According to her, the letter by Nigerian traders has been well received and their message will be conveyed to the highest authority.

    “Government is not resting on your case; it is because of you Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of House of Representatives, came to Ghana.

    “Likewise, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was here. In spite of his busy schedule, he came here and met with the leadership of NUTAG. He promised to continue with the cause on his return to Abuja.

    “He has not failed; very soon your situation will be addressed because a hungry man is an angry man. It is not nice to hear that in a brotherly country as Ghana, you are being treated like this.

    “We have Ghanaians in Nigeria too and they are treated as brothers, so do not worry. It is a government-to-government dialogue.

    “I believe, very soon, we will get to the end of this matter and we will all be at peace,” Arewa said.

  • Covid-19: List of beneficiaries of Buhari’s relief measures

    Covid-19: List of beneficiaries of Buhari’s relief measures

    President Muhammadu Buhari announced various relief measures yesterday to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

    In his broadcast, he mentioned school children, who have been enjoying government’s school feeding and beneficiaries of government’s social investment programme, such as TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni.

    “Although schools have been closed, I have instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to work with State Governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding program during this period without compromising our social distancing policies.

    “The Minister will be contacting the affected States and agree on detailed next steps.

    “Furthermore, I have directed that a three month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect.

    “I have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all Federal Government funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Export Import Bank.

    “For on-lending facilities using capital from international and multilateral development partners, I have directed our development financial institutions to engage these development partners and negotiate concessions to ease the pains of the borrowers.

    “For the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately. Our Internally displaced persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks.

    Buhari appealed to all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to support those who are vulnerable within their communities, helping them with whatever they may need.

    “As we all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue planning for all eventualities.

    “This is why I directed that all Federal Government Stadia, Pilgrims camps and other facilities be converted to isolation centres and makeshift hospitals”

  • Boko Haram gunmen disguise as traders, kill 50 fishermen

    At least 50 people, mostly fishermen, have been killed in raids by Boko Haram terrorists on Lake Chad in late December. The militants had disguised as traders and attacked the fishermen.

    “We got news of the attacks days after because it is difficult to get to or call the islands.” Ali Ramat, the mayor of Darak in Cameroon’s Far North Region, said on phone today.

    Military patrols have stopped on the lake making it more vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks, Ramat said.

    Local media in Cameroon reported that those killed were mostly Cameroonian, Chadian and Nigerian fishermen, adding that the attack was the deadliest in over two years on Lake Chad.

    In late December, Cameroon local authorities confirmed the abduction of 17 fishermen on the Lake Chad by the Boko Haram group, but it’s unclear if they are among those that have been killed.

    More than 2,000 people have been killed since Boko Haram launched attacks in the Far North since 2014, according to security reports.

  • Traders flee as plaza collapses in Anambra

    A building reportedly collapsed on Thursday at the Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The collapsed structure was said to be one of the plaza partially burnt last October during a fire incident at the market.

    TheNewsGuru gathered that some persons, who were inside the building around 3:30pm, fled before the structure caved in.

    An eyewitness, who identified himself as Chuka, said none of the traders was trapped.

    “I don’t think anyone was trapped inside the debris. Most of them were fast enough to escape,” he said.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said nobody was trapped in the building.

    He said the police patrol team led by the DPO had visited the scene.

    “Yes, the building partially collapsed, but nobody was trapped. There was no loss of life and no injury sustained by any person,” Mohammed said.

     

  • Gunmen abduct 18 traders in Niger

    Gunmen have abducted 18 traders in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
    The traders were travelling from Pandogari town in Rafi Local Government to Bassa village for the weekly market.
    The incident was said to have occurred last Saturday.
    The traders were in an 18- seater bus when they ran into a blockade by the gunmen, who shot sporadically.
    An eyewitness said yesterday that the traders were mostly women. Although some men were among them.
    The eyewitness said the traders were forced into a waiting bus and driven into the bush.
    The source noted that this was not the first time that such an incident would occur. “It has now become a regular feature that no one is doing anything about.”
    It was gathered that most of the traders had contacted their families, asking them to pay the ransom demanded, to secure their release.
    The eyewitness said the ransom being demanded was between N200,000 and N500,000, depending on their ‘personality’.
    “They are asking the relations to bring the ransom to a location as far as Funtua town in Katsina State, to avoid being traced by the police. Some of the families are already complying,” the source said.
    When contacted, police spokesman Mohammad Abubakar said: “We heard about the incident, but no official report has been made.
    “We are investigating the matter. We will get back to you when we get official report.”

  • Ihedioha reassures traders' welfare, market development

    Ihedioha reassures traders' welfare, market development

    …as traders laud government policies
    Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring the welfare of traders in the state.
    The governor also said his government is poised to providing basic infrastructure as part of his plans towards ensuring a conducive environment for business and economic boost in the state.
    He stated this when he met with the union leaders and traders at the Imo International Modern Market, Naze, known as Alaba Market on Tuesday.
    Governor Ihedioha also reminded them on the need to partner with the government in its efforts to achieve all round development, through payment of taxes and levies, stressing that, it is his desire to make Owerri and the state in general, the neatest in the country.
    “When I was campaigning, I promised our people that we shall be interested in the development of our markets. I am interested in providing infrastructure as well as relate with the security agencies for adequate security here.
    “We have taken note of your challenges and will take deliberate actions to alleviate the sufferings of traders and also grow the economy”
    Emphasizing the need for payment of tax, the governor said, “most importantly, you are expected to pay your taxes, because, the infrastructure would be maintained and that can only be done when you pay. And I want to assure you that the revenue we will generate, will be effectively utilized”.
    Earlier in their speeches, the Chairman of Imo State Market Development, Hon. Henry Onwukwe and the Chairman of the Electrical/Electronic section of the market, Chief Emeka Dike, who spoke on behalf of the entire traders, eulogised the governor for his concern to their welfare.
    They also threw their weight behind all his decisions and programmes since his assumption of office and assured of their continued support, adding that they are confident he will address their challenges.

  • Scarcity: CBN releases lower naira notes to traders

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has begun the disbursement of lower denomination of naira notes directly to the traders.

    It expressed its determination to put an end to the scarcity of the lower denomination naira notes in circulation.

    The apex bank, which also restated its commitment to the economic well-being of all Nigerians, said the disbursement of the naira notes had begun in Abuja and would extend to other parts of the country.

    The Assistant Director, Currency Operations Department, CBN, Mr Benedict Maduagwu, stated these at a two-day sensitisation meeting with some stakeholders in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    Some of stakeholders at the meeting included market men and women, students, youths, representative of commercial banks and many social and economic groups in the state, among others.

    The CBN director, who addressed the bank customers in attendance, stated that the bank recognised the important role market players and other economic agents play in economic transactions hence the need for easy accessibility to lower denomination currencies.

    “The CBN has commenced the direct disbursement of N200, N100, N50, N20, N10 and N5 denominations of naira notes to merchants, shopping malls, stores, supermarkets, market men and women, toll gates etc. in exchange for the higher denominations,” Maduagwu said.

    He noted that the disbursement had started in Abuja and had been extended to Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Onitsha, Ibadan, Yola, Gombe, Katisna and Jos, adding that the notes were made available to the beneficiaries through commercial banks.

    “The bank (the CBN) has evolved a monitoring framework to avoid abuse,” he added.

    The apex bank’s team leader said the sensitisation programme was aimed at creating awareness on the numerous policies, programmes and initiatives of the CBN, which were beneficial to the citizens and also to promote financial inclusion for all segment of the society.

  • Ghanaians allegedly attack Nigerian traders at Kumasi market

    Ghanaians allegedly attack Nigerian traders at Kumasi market

    Nigerian traders at the Suame Magazine in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region have allegedly been attacked by Ghanaians, who vowed to evict foreigners from the market.

    The leaders of the Nigerian retailers at the Suame Magazine say their members are living in fear following what they call incessant attacks on them, reports Citinewsroom.

    They accused local retailers and the Ghana Union Traders Association of targeting its members and forcefully evicting them from their shops.

    Speaking with Citinewsroom, an executive member of the Nigerian retailers Association, Victor Moname, threatened reprisal attacks if the local retailers continue to harass their members.

    He said the Ashanti Regional Police Commander deployed some of his personnel to the area to forestall such occurrences but the attacks persist.

    “The [Ashanti] Regional [Police] Commander told us that the Nigeria High Commission had called him over the same issue. He said he had sent a police patrol team to Suame Magazine, Kumasi. But when some of our people open their shops, some boys jumped on them again including some of the GUTA executives.”

    “Some of their items got broken because when the boys come and ask you to close your shop, and you refuse, they destroy your things. So that was the reason why when they came to tell us to close the shops, we obliged because they are many. They are up to 50, and you can’t identify all of them. They don’t even have shops in Magazine.”

    Victor Moname said currently all the Nigerian retailers at Suame Magazine “ had closed our shops including all our workers because they are afraid.”

    The Ghanaian government ordered non-Ghanaians in retail trade to leave their markets by July 27, 2018, or face the wrath of the government.

    Even though the Ministry of Trade and Industry threatened legal action against stubborn foreigners, it later rescinded its decision, citing inadequate sensitization as the reason for the suspension.

  • Scarcity: CBN commences issuing lower naira notes to traders

    The Central Bank of Nigeria has commenced the disbursement of smaller naira notes to traders in order to improve the circulation of N5, N10, N20, and N50 in the economy.

    The acting Director, Currency Operations Department, Mrs. Priscilia Eleje, said this at a publicity campaign on “Disbursement of Lower Denominations of the Naira’’ in Wuse Market, Abuja on Tuesday.

    She said the campaign was targeted at the informal sector, especially traders in markets, with the aim of increasing the circulation of the smaller units of the naira to make doing business easier.

    According to her, the Federal Capital Territory will be used as the pilot stage of the new campaign and if successful, will be replicated nationwide.

    Eleje said the new strategy would ensure that traders desist from hiking prices of goods just to avoid looking for “change.’’

    According to her, new naira notes will be distributed to traders within Wuse and Garki markets and others through their associations.

    “The notes we will be disbursing are mints. This money is not meant for you to keep in your house or to go and spray at weddings or sell.

    “We have our operatives everywhere and whoever is caught selling these notes will be prosecuted.

    “These notes are meant to be used for daily transactions so that when a customer comes to the market, you won’t tell him or her that you don’t have change,’’ she said.

    Eleje said the money was not free, adding that rather, the CBN through the various associations in the market would exchange lower denominations for larger ones.

    Also, the Deputy Director, Currency Operations Department, Mr. Vincent Wuranti, lectured the traders on ways to handle and maintain the naira notes.

    He urged all users to desist from squeezing the notes, writing on them or handling the notes with soiled hands.

    Wuranti also urged the public to inculcate the habit of using wallets in order to safeguard the naira and allow it to have a longer life span.

    The Chairman, Wuse Market Association, Mr. Rapheal Okoro, said insufficient lower denominations of the naira was one of the greatest problems being faced by traders.

    “When you buy something, you cannot get change. There are instances where customers change their minds about buying items because of change.

    “As a trader, you lend another trader change and he cannot give you back when you need it. This has led to a lot of crisis in the market. So we are happy that the CBN has come up with this plan,’’ he said.

    Okoro said the CBN had agreed to make the notes available to traders on a weekly basis, saying the volume depends on the market demand.