• shops, office set ablaze
By Stanley Onyekwere
An angry mob yesterday attacked and set ablaze shops at the popular Wuse market, following the demise of one suspect allegedly killed by a union personnel during an Mobile Court sitting, in Abuja.
Also, the mob allegedly burnt down the office of Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML).
Our correspondent reports that an eye witness account has it that the murdered suspect, had attempted to escape after being arraigned before the mobile court sitting in the market.
It was disclosed that the death immediately angered some persons, who started burning shops, offices and vehicles, thereby causing serious traffic gridlock and confusion in the area and other parts of the city, as many scampered for safety.
When contact, the AMML’s spokesperson, Innocent Amaechina, who couldn’t confirm the actual cause of the incident, said he heard that a suspect was shot dead, a situation which angered hoodlums around the scene.
Amaechina however, confirmed that the AMML’s office in the market and some shops were burnt down by the angry hoodlums, while some staff members have not been found.
He also disclosed that he has 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.
As at the time filling this report, the FCT Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Josephine Adah, said the situation was brought under control as security personnel and disaster responders had condoned off the market area, and restored normalcy.
