Shops, Offices Set Ablaze at Wuse Market after Death of Suspect

•UK mission issues advisory on disorder

Olawale Ajimotokan and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Commotion ensued yesterday at the popular Wuse market, in Abuja Zone 4, resulting in several shops, offices and being razed after a policeman attached to the FCTA Mobile Court, killed a suspect, for trying to escape arraignment before the court. 

The death instantly triggered the anger of some hoodlums and traders, who went berserk, setting the market on fire and destroying anything in sight.

The Public Relations Officer of Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), the manager of the market, Innocent Amaechina, confirmed the incident.

He said their office and other shops as well as some cars were burnt.

He also disclosed that he had not been able to access the market to determine the extent of damages to the market, as Police had condoned the place, to allow fire fighters take control of the situation. 

The incident also prompted an alert to be issued by the UK mission, asking their citizens residing in Abuja, to avoid the hotspot due to the civil disorder.

The alert determined the situation as high risk and warned that hoodlums and miscreants were taking advantage to loot food items at the mentioned location as well as vandalise passerby valuables and property.

“Report has it that vehicles are currently being vandalised, phones forcefully taken away from innocent passersby.

 “Staff are advised to avoid the mentioned locations considered hotspots as a precaution. Maintain a low profile, and stay low-key. Avoid the display of valuable items,” the advisory warned.