- The protest erupted after a distressing incident where a suspect, reportedly being taken to a mobile court within the market for trial, attempted to flee.
- The attempt resulted in the individual being allegedly shot and killed by the police
Following the shooting and death of an alleged inmate, suspected hoodlums and touts in Abuja’s well-known Wuse Market set a portion of the market on fire.
It was gathered that a suspect in the market mobile court attempted to flee and was shot by an unidentified police officer, who is suspected of killing him.
According to Tribune, a top officer at Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) who requested anonymity when reached out verified the account.
He said the suspect was already convicted of a crime which was not mentioned and in the process of taking the alleged convict to court, the boy bolted and tried to run when he was shot by the police officer.
The AMML staff said that was what provoked the attackers to burn down some shops, the office of AMML was also touched, and some vehicles in the car park within the market.
The situation caused a stampede in the market as people stampeded to save either their lives or their property.
It was not clear how many people were injured in the stampede and the degree of injuries sustained in the stampede. People scaled the fences while some pushed their way through the few gates.
Confirming the fire incident, Innocent Amaechina, PRO, AMML confirmed that their office and other shops as well as some cars were burnt.
He couldn’t confirm those responsible for the fire incident, but that the Fire Service and the Police had taken over and cordoned the area, so he couldn’t access the area himself.
As at the time of filing the report, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, when contacted for clarification on the matter, said “I know why you are calling me, I’m trying to gather facts on the matter”.