Hoodlums Sack Imo Timber Market

Afro Oru Timber Market in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State is in ruins following an attack by hoodlums, who de-roofed sheds, looted wares, and chased away traders.

The hoodlums, allegedly, sponsored by one Onyenekeya Akachi, a lawyer, put a traditional barricade, with fresh palm fronds, round the market, preventing commercial activities since January 20, when the invasion took place.

The attack happened despite subsisting court cases over the ownership of the land, where the market is situated, cases in which Akachi is deeply involved.

The traders, under the aegis of Afor Oru Timber Market Association, have petitioned the Nigeria Police over the incident.

In the petition, via their lawyers, Hans and Silver Associates, to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia, the traders, represented by Chief Leo Ibe, Mr. Julian Nmadu, and Mr. Damian Oguibe, requested the police to invite Akachi and one Mr. James Onwumere for interrogation.

The petitioners believed Akachi and Onwumere were prime architects of the market invasion.

Lawyers for Afor Oru Timber Market Association stated in the petition, dated January 23, 2026, that following the attack on the market on January 20, 2026, and their earlier petition, “Our clients informed us that Barr. Onyenekeya Akachi and James Onwumere, who are co-suspects in the said petition and who by virtue of their present attitude can be said to be the architects of the whole criminal attack, have been threatening fire and brimstone to deal with any member of the Afor Oru Timber Market Association who would attempt to enter into the market.”

The petitioners also stated that Akachi had rebuffed attempts by Chairman of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Chief Larry Chikwe, to resolve the matter.

Akachi was said to be claiming he had a judgement of the Imo State High Court transferring ownership of the timber market land to his clients, Nze Raymond Erege and one other person.

But Erege had distanced himself from Akachi’s claim. Erege said, in a statement to the police in Imo State, that the Afor Oru Timber Market was not part of the judgement being paraded by Akachi. He maintained that the market was not part of the land in dispute, and for which he had gone to court and had Akachi as his lawyer.