The people of Umuchukwu Ihie Ndume in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State have dismissed the allegations that they are planning to burn down more than 200 lock-up shops at First Line of Timer shade section of the Umuahia Industrial market.

The community, which spoke through its Chairman, Mr Nkasiobi Ikwuagwo, Chairman, Chikwendu Jonah among other community leaders, described the allegations as false and embarrassing.

Umuchukwu Ihie Ndume community was reacting to a recent protest carried out by traders of First Line at the private residence of Governor Alex Otti at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA where the traders informed the Governor that their shops may go up in flames as allegedly threatened by the host community.

In strong words of denial, the Umuahia cried out that they had been at peace with the industrial market traders and neither issued them quit notice nor threatened to burn down their shops.

While pledging their support for the administration of Governor Alex Otti, Umuchukwu Ihie Ndume people said that those who embarked on the protest attempted to tarnish the good name of the community and therefore, urged the state government to investigate and fish out those behind the false claims.

On Monday, traders under the aegies of First Line Timber Shade Industrial market arrived the country home of Governor Alex Otti with placards, to draw his attention over the alleged plans by the people of Umuchukwu Ihie Ndume to burn down more than 200 shops belonging to the traders if they refused quit.

The traders who were led by Daniel Obi and James Onyema, claimed that they had been given quit notice despite having valid allocation papers given to them by the Abia State government.

They said that the property in question was acquired by the administration of former military administrator of Abia State, Group Captain, Frank Ajebona while the administration of former Governor Theodore Orji also paid a further compensation to the Umuchukwu Ihie Ndume community.