Northern traders are fleeing Rivers State in droves since the hijacking of the EndSARS protest by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Witnesses told the BBC Hausa that the traders were leaving because of fears that they can be attacked again, while others have nothing to do since their means of livelihoods had been destroyed by hoodlums.
They said the attacks on northern traders have continued despite the assurance giver by Governor Nyesom Wike who has also proscribed IPOB.
Usman Ibrahim, the Patron of the Amalgamation Union of Agriculture and Animal Supplies of Nigeria, told Punch that hoodlums in the guise of protesters hijacked trucks supplying agricultural products to many states, adding that most of their trucks were hijacked and burnt along with their goods.
“As a result of this protest, which was hijacked by hoodlums, we were attacked by IPOB members and some of our trucks were set ablaze and our goods burnt,” Ibrahim added.
Even on Thursday over 400 people from the North were evacuated, the witnesses further informed the BBC Hausa, saying the traders have lost property worth millions of naira in three markets where they were attacked, especially the one at Eleme Junction.
Malam Abdulrahman Muhammad, a trader, said the northerners had been fleeing in trucks with the little they could salvage of the their businesses.
He said the EndSARS protest was the beginning of the crisis and they tried their best to protect their businesses. However the hoodlums returned at night to set their stalls and other properties on fire at Obigbo.
“There was a serious clash between us, and about 14 people were shot out of which some have died. We are still trapped inside the market,” he added
Also at the Wazobia market at Eleme Junction, northern traders suffered huge losses, according to Malam Garba Ruba, a dealer.
BBC had tried to get comments from the Rivers State Police Command and the state government but the two promised to issue statements on the crisis.
It would be recalled that Governor Wike had promised to protect the traders because of their contribution to the development of the state, adding that the government will not allow any group to put the lives of people in danger.
