…set cars, stalls on fire
Chaos broke out at the popular Wuse market on Tuesday afternoon when some angry youths set the market ablaze over the alleged killing of a suspect.
Our correspondent gathered that a suspect who was being tried in the market mobile court attempted to run away, but was shot and killed by the Police at the market.
A senior official of the Abuja Markets Management Limited, AMML who confirmed the incident, 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 shut by the Police.
The staff who preferred anonymity said the action 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 scampered to save either their lives and properties.
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.
First responders have since arrived the market, barricaded the entrance to prevent people from moving into the markets. Eye witnesses say that a section of the market, specifically the car park at the northern side of the entrance, has been engulfed as smoke billowed into the atmosphere.
Some vehicles in the car park have been burnt already. People inside the market are also seen forcing their way out by jumping the perimeter fence.
