Wuse Market shut as Hausa traders attack Igbo over Charly Boy
From Magnus Eze, Abuja
There was pandemonium in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Tuesday afternoon as musician and leader of Our-Mumu-Don-Group, Charles Oputa (Charlie Boy) allegedly took his protest against ailing President Muhammadu Buhari to Wuse Market.
Spillover of the commotion however led to security agencies shutting the market as Hausa traders misdirected their anger against Charly Boy on Igbo traders and other southerners in the market after the protesters had escaped.
Trouble started when Charlie Boy rode his power bike accompanied with some members of the group in tow cars came to the market entrance but were originally denied access by the market security guards at about 11am.
An eye witness account said the members of the Anti-Buhari group forced their way into the market.
At this point, the head of security in the market identified as Musa asked him why they allowed them in.
“You should have destroyed their cars at the gate,” he had reportedly thundered. This agitated some northern youths at the scene, as a large crowd was already building up, and one of them hit him before others started hurling stones on the protesters.
Charlie Boy and his group scampered for safety, while their two vehicles were vandalised.
The musician’s escape was aided by the power bike.
From that point, angry northern youths hurled stones and other objects on people in the market seen as non-northerners, especially Igbo traders.
Confusion prevailed before the security agencies arrived the market.
No lives were lost but many persons sustained various degrees of injuries.
The FCT authorities have closed down market, while a detachment of police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) keep watch at the market and its environs.
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