Uko, as fondly called was a tree located at Umudagu Mbieri in Mbaitolu LG of Imo state. Due to the shade the tree provided, an evening market was established called Ukwu Uko market. 


Nobody knew what the Uko tree was 'nursing' when the market became expanded and recognised as one-stop market one could buy fresh vegetables and foodstuffs. I used to go there to buy things when i was an undergraduate of Imo state University living at Sarah Hostel. 'Because i'm involved' (in the words of Dim Odemegwu Ojukwu) i had a first hand feel of what the tree and the market looked like, i write authoritatively that the tree was hail and hearty,with fresh leaves on it as seen in the picture. This is why people tend to wonder over the sudden collapse of Uko tree and even during the evening market when the market was filled wit buyers and sellers. So many were sent to their untimely graves including a pregnant woman by this tree.

It was horrifying.

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