By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Activities at the Mechanic Village in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital have been shut down indefinitely, following a crisis between its operators on Friday.
A statement signed by Local Government Council Secretary, Mr. Ubong Udofia on behalf of the Chairman, made available to New Nigerian, stated that the decision for the closure is to forestall further break down of law and order within the area.
Accordingly, the chairman of the Council, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, has directed security officials to continue to maintain adequate security around the facility and the entire area until investigations are completed and normalcy returns.
Eye witnesses who pleaded anonymity said that the violence started about 11am after a disagreement by two two spare parts dealers in the market and escalated into a free for all fight, leaving property worth millions of Naira destroyed while some traders were left with various degrees of injuries.
Free flow of traffic along Abak axis where the Mechanic Village is located, was blocked for about an hour, while the incident took place, until a detachment of mobile police arrived to restore calm.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Odiko MacDon who could not be reached for comment on the number of arrests made, was yet to issue a statement on the incident as at when this report was filed.
Mechanic Village In Uyo is a location approved by government to accommodate cluster of motor spare parts dealers and mechanics and other allied services to carry out their trade within Uyo metropolis.
