By Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

There was pandemonium at the bureau de change section of Onitsha Main Market when about 20 operators were arrested by a team of soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, for alleged illegal operation in the market. Traders in and around the area ran for their lives when they saw gun wielding men in mufti and  soldiers invading the area and picking the operators who did not notice their presence on time.

According to an eye witness, the security operatives had, reportedly, on a tip-off, stormed the market and made straight for the bureau de change section, where some traders had, on seeing them, took to their heels and arrested the suspects.

Over 20 shops were said to have been raided and foreign currencies carted away by the security operatives.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the arrested suspects were allegedly taken to the 302 Artillery Regiment where they are currently cooling off, before they will be handed over to the appropriate agencies for further investigation.

Efforts to get the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Mr. Abubakar Yahaya, to react to the invasion proved abortive as his phone line was indicating switched off.