Sarah NEGEDU
Days after the bloody clash between traders and commercial motorcycle riders in the Dei-Dei area of the FCT, tensions are high amongst traders and residents of the area who are apprehensive of a reoccurrence of the violence.
Though FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa, had ordered the immediate closure of the Building Material market immediately after the incident, a visit to the area on Friday should that the market was a ghost of its self with all shops closed while its road was devoid of the usual hassle and bustle.
While the traders held meetings in groups depending on the section of the market they belong to, some arms wielding motorcyclists also assembled in their clusters watching the traders just as the heavy presence of armed security personnel provided the barrier needed to prevent another clash.
The traders did not hold back their frustration as they expressed their displeasure over the closure of the market while okada riders, who were also involved in the Wednesday skirmishes are allowed to go about their business.
Speaking with our correspondent, the vice chairman of the Dei-Dei International building materials market, Celestine Ekebo, noted that the administration’s decision was in the best interest of the territory and its residents.
He called on both the affected and non-affected members of the market to cooperate with the administration and other relevant agencies in unravelling the remote and immediate cause of the conflict.
He added that the administration, through the Abuja Market Management Ltd had asked the traders to evaluate the properties destroyed and present it to the administration for possible compensation.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fom Pam, who was on ground to ensure the situation does not escalate, told out correspondent that the Police in collaboration with sister agencies have initiated strategies that will ensure that normalcy was restored to the area.
