Abuja clash: FCT Minister orders closure of Deidei international market

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Musa Muhammad Bello has ordered an indefinite closure of Deidei international market.

The closure followed clashes between traders and motorcyclists that left scores dead and shops worth millions of naira burnt.

The Minister, Commissioner of Police Sunday Babaji, Director State Security Services, other sister security agencies, and top FCT Administration officials, were on first hand assessment of the scene after which Bello ordered closure of the market in order to de-escalate the crisis.

The crisis was occasioned by an accident by a motorcyclist which a woman reportedly fell and was crushed by a truck.

The Okada rider was considered reckless, hence, traders went after him and got his motorcycle burnt. In a reprisal attack, the motorcyclist mobilised other Okada riders and they swooped on the international market, killing and burning of the market.

However, the Minister who was saddened by the incident and the extent of damages done to the international market and the human casualties, Bello described the attackers as hoodlums who must not be spared.

“The community and market leaders must search for hoodlums and bad apples among them; unfortunately, hoodlums this time have guns and have shot innocent people.

“In reality, I witnessed four bodies, which is incredibly sad and completely unacceptable in Abuja.”

According to the Minister, security operatives must work with the community around Deidei to fish out the evil perpetrators.

Bello said that there were no tribal or religious misunderstandings because all of the various groups’ leaders have lived in harmony for many years.

“This is simply a case of criminals and hoodlums seizing control of the law,” he explained.