The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has shuttered Abuja’s famed Wuse Market following a violence and fire outbreak on Tuesday.
The scene remained tense when our correspondant visited the market, as several irate people refused to leave, clutching bottles and sticks.
However, agents from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were observed on the ground attempting to maintain peace and tranquility.
Remember that enraged youths set fire to areas of the popular market after police allegedly shot and killed a 17-year-old hawker on Tuesday.
Our correspondent learned that the victim, who was being tried at a mobile court in the market, attempted to flee but was allegedly shot and murdered by a prison official.
The fire affected the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) office inside the market, as well as some vehicles parked in the car park.
Although there was no market management staff present at the time of writing this report, the market’s Chief Security Officer, who spoke anonymously, detailed what caused the violence and fire outbreak.
He stated that officers from the Nigerian Correctional Centre arrived at the market on Tuesday to apprehend a suspect, but the warden ended up shooting the victim owing to his resistance.
“Following the incident, a brawl broke out. Some areas of the market were also set on fire.
“The situation is getting more intense and security operatives have advised that we vacate the premises,” he said.
However, the Police commissioner, FCT Police Command, Benedict Igweh, said that the Correctional Officer who shot and killed one of the handcuffed convicted offenders has been arrested for interrogations.
He disclosed this on Wednesday after a closed door meeting with senators over the level of security in Abuja, assuring that calm and sanity have been restored to the market.