Motorbike riders, traders clash at Deidei, Abuja

Traders and commercial motorbike riders on Wednesday at Deidei market clashed with scores dead, while several others sustained injuries.

The motorcyclists popularly called Okada riders were said to have killed many people as they swooped on traders in their numbers, burn traders shops and vehicles of traders and customers which were parked at the time of crisis.

Deidei market is in Abuja Municipal Area Council in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

It was gathered that crisis started from an accident which involved a motorcyclist as a truck reportedly crushed a woman to death due to the recklessness of the motorcyclist.

The dead woman was later discovered to be an Igbo and died on way to the hospital.

“Ongoing clash between traders and Okada riders in a very big market located in the Federal Capital city of Nigeria, Abuja. As of now, I’m not sure how many people have been killed,” he said.

The tragedy compelled some traders in the area to run after the motorbike and set it ablaze. This triggered a reprisal from commercial motorcyclists in the area.

The rampaging commercial motorcyclists allegedly blocked the expressway and attacked motorists in the process.

Many vehicles and shops, particularly the ones selling building materials, were said to be burnt and destroyed.

A source also said some churches were also attacked, leaving many people injured.

Motorists were forced to take alternative routes to avoid being caught up in the melee.

As of the time of filing this story, security operatives had been deployed to the area to restore law and order.

“The agitated youths who witnessed this burnt the motorcycle at building materials market in Dei-Dei, Abuja. As at the time of filing this report, the police are already at the scene and trying to quell the situation,” one of the eyewitnesses said.