By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Administration yesterday shut down the popular Dutse-Alhaji (Olajumoke Market) in Bwari Area Council, in the wake of violent attack on some employees of the Council working in the market.
It was gathered that trouble ensued when the attacked officials of Council accompanied by some security officers as well as officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), stormed the area for cleaning exercise in the market.
Peoples Daily learnt that the fracas took a dangerous twist when some suspected hoodlums and those occupying illegal space in the market, burnt down the AEPB office opposite the market.
Announcing the indefinite closure of the busy market, chairman FCT Task Team on traffic management, Comrade Attah Ikharo disclosed the arrest of 25 persons among the suspected arsonists for further investigation, to ascertain their level of involvement in the incident.
He explained that the government has no other option than to close down the market until people of the market realize the need to follow the established rules.
It would be recall that prior to the development, the traders at the market, who had encroached to the road corridor of Dutse Alhaji have been linked to swelling traffic pains to the road users while their trading activities continued unabated
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