There was a clash between two rival palm oil unions at Umuopara Palm Oil Beach Market in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, leading to three persons sustaining varying injuries.

The two rival groups, Palm Oil Association of Nigeria and United Palm Oil Dealers Association, have been battling for the leadership of the market as well as who should control the market’s revenue collections since August 2023.

On Thursday, Nov. 2, the two rival associations engaged in a violent clash, which landed three members of United Palm Dealers Association in hospital, with two of them in critical condition.

The names of those in critical condition are Kingsley Onyemuche and Peter Anyanwu, while the third injured trader is Monday Ogunka.

Kingsley Onyemuche and Peter Anyanwu were admitted to the Casualty and Emergency Ward of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia. Monday Ogunka was admitted to another department, as his own injury was said to be minimal.

Pictures show those in critical condition receiving treatment on the floor of the hospital due to a lack of bed space.

The fight between both unions created chaos in the market as many traders locked their shops and fled. Customers who came to buy goods also ran away.

A similar clash was prevented in September this year when the two groups accused each other of threatening the peace of the market.